SCOUTING FOR FOOD

OVERVIEW 

Since 1910, the ideals of Scouting have guided young men to perform "service to others and to the community."  Responding to the plight of America's poor and hungry is a traditional Scouting "good turn."  During World War I, Boy Scouts planted vegetable gardens to provide food for the hungry.  President Roosevelt called on Scouts to collect food for the needy during the Great Depression.  Planting Victory Gardens were the Scouting "good turns" organized during World War II.  Today, Boy Scouts continue their Goog Turn efforts in community stewardship through Scouting for Food.

• During April 1-30 the Greater Pittsburgh Council, Boy Scouts of America, in partnership with the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, will conduct its 19th annual Scouting for Food program.
  
• Since 1987, over 67 million units of food have been collected and distributed to community food banks.
  
• Each year Scouting for Food mobilizes community businesses and organizations and focuses the resources of more than 300,000 people to collect food for 120,000 hungry people throughout southwestern Pennsylvania.  

ORGANIZATION

Scouting for Food is organized into divisions:    Accounting Firms, Company, Government Agencies, Health Care Systems, Labor Unions, Law Firms, Schools, Scouting, Social Service Agencies, and Universities and Colleges.  Except for the Scouting Division, these organizations can conduct employee food collections during April 1-30.

The Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers will distribute Scouting for Food bags to neighborhoods April 12-23.  Scouting units will return to collect canned food contributions on Scouting for Food Day, Saturday, April 21 or another pre-arranged time.  Scout units will also be collecting contributions at local food stores and other local collection sites during the drive.

Scouting for Food campaigns are organized in Allegheny Beaver, Greene, and Washington counties.  County campaigns will focus on local companies, schools, public services, institutions, and local governmental agencies.    The county campaigns are also planned from April 1-30.

Contributions to the Scouting for Food campaign will be distributed to the food banks, pantries, and kitchens in communities of southwestern Pennsylvania where the collections are made to help these providers meet the needs of our hungry neighbors.  Collection sites will also be established at:

• Giant Eagle markets in specially marked bins inside the stores.
• Salvation Army Service Centers