Local Boy Scouts go Scouting for Food for the 27th year
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— Boy Scouts across the Ozarks are going door-to-door this month to collect nonperishable food for Ozarks Food Harvest during the 27th annual Scouting for Food.
Last year’s drive collected 13,500 pounds of food and $747 to provide more than 15,000 meals.
Grocery sacks were dropped off in some neighborhoods last weekend, and more will be dropped off in the coming weeks. The drive wraps up on Saturday, March 26 with a one-day, community-wide food drive at four Springfield Walmart locations.
Community members can either donate food in grocery sacks left on their door, or donors can give at Walmart stores on Independence, Campbell, Republic Road and Glenstone on March 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Supporters in Ozark can drop off donations at the Walmart on Marler Lane from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 19.
The most needed donations include tuna and canned meats, peanut butter, beans, boxed or canned meals, rice and pasta, canned vegetables and fruit and cereal.
“Teaching our youth what it is to be a good citizen, and teaching them to give to the community are at Scouting’s core,” said Jason Taylor, district executive for Boy Scouts of America’s Ozark Trails Council – Pathfinder District. “As each Scout goes out to collect needed food goods during our Scouting for Food drive, they know what a great cause they are serving, and what a great impact they have reducing hunger locally.”
Donations will also be accepted at the Ozark Trails Council headquarters, 1616 S. Eastgate, and at Ozarks Food Harvest, 2810 N. Cedarbrook Ave., throughout the week leading up to March 26.
“We’re proud of the Scouts’ commitment to helping others and honored to once again partner with them for this important drive that helps those who are struggling with hunger in our community,” said Denise Gibson, Ozarks Food Harvest director of development and communication.
Ozarks Food Harvest will provide the donations to its network of 200 pantries and programs across 28 counties in southwest Missouri. Through this project, local Scouts have provided nearly 130,000 meals over the last 10 years.
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About Ozarks Food Harvest — The Food Bank
Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, serving more than 200 organizations across 28 Ozarks counties. The Food Bank provides 14 million meals annually to more than 260,000 unduplicated individuals. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or twitter.com/ozksfoodharvest.