Boy Scouts make changes to annual Scouting for Food drive

Metro Wire Staff

With quarantines and closures in place across the nation, the Boy Scouts’ annual Scouting for Food campaign has been forced to move online.

Typically, scouts hit their neighborhoods in droves to leave plastic bags on doorknobs and mailboxes for residents to fill with non-perishable items. The bags are then collected about two weeks later, and the scouts take them to local food pantries.

But this year, with many businesses closed and families stuck at home under Gov. Tony Evers’ “Safer at Home” order, meaning Scouts won’t get out to make the annual rounds.

But with so many out of work due to COVID-19 closures, Scouting for Food remains a vital element for the communities it serves, according to the Samoset Council.

“With the growing economic hardship facing our communities, local food banks need Scouting for Food more than ever,” said Adam Freund, the council’s development director.

To ensure Scouts remain safe, Freund said, the annual Scouting for Food project will be moving to an online cash donation format, with 100 percent of the funds remaining in the community.

“Instead of going door-to-door to collect food, Scouts will be spreading the word on this vital service project to help our local food banks,” Freund said. “Just $1 dollar can buy 10 meals in Wisconsin.”

Donations can be made by texting “give food” to 844-615-4269 or visiting www.samoset.org/SFF.