Originally published: April 17, 2021
Boy Scouts collect donated food in annual drive to help metro families
Troops partnered with Food Bank for the Heartland, United Way to leave instructions on homes to participate, offer non-perishable items
OMAHA, Neb. —
All Saturday morning, local Boy Scouts of America troops collected non-perishable food across the metro so that families in need could stay fed.
Scout troops partnered with the Food Bank for the Heartland and United Way of the Midlands for this year’s “Scouting for Food” — an annual community service effort “supported directly by the Mid-America Council.”
Brian Barks, president and CEO of Food Bank for the Heartland, said projects like these remain vital tools to tackle food insecurity. The COVID-19 pandemic, Barks said, stripped jobs and crucial income, leaving some families without food on the table.
“It’s incredible to see the dedicated Scouts collecting non-perishable food items for our neighbors in need and raising awareness of food insecurity across the Heartland,” Barks said.
“Scouting for Food” set a goal of collecting enough food for 250,000 meals. Last weekend, local troops put notes on doors across the community, with instructions for donating non-perishable food.
Scouts spread out and collected the bags left at the end of a home’s sidewalk or driveway before 8 a.m.
Troops also set up near several Target store locations to pick up donated bags of food, including:
- 168th and Maple
- 180th and Center
- 120th and L
- 72nd and Dodge
“It’s a great way for our Scouts and our Scout families and our volunteers to show service to those in our community that are in need,” Mid-America Council Scout executive Chris Mehaffey said.