Local Scouts of the Greenwich Council, Boy Scouts of America will have their annual Scouting for Food collection on Saturday, March 21 at local fire stations and supermarkets to bring to Neighbor to Neighbor’s food pantry as part of their town-wide good turn.
First Selectman Fred Camillo enters his seventh year as Honorary Chair assisted by Junior Chair, Dawson Clark of Old Greenwich.
“Scouting for Food is an amazing event, collecting food for Neighbor to Neighbor”, said Clark, a Life Scout with Troop 11. “Scouting for Food brings our community together and shows the generosity of our town. I’m very excited to be working with a great organization, and I’m honored to be working alongside First Selectmen Fred Camillo as the Junior Chair.”
Scouts will be distributing re-usable bags donated by Greenwich Whole Foods Market throughout their neighborhoods which includes a list of high need food items and pick-up date.
In addition, Cub Scout Packs will set-up collection tables at partnering supermarkets in the month of March.
West Putnam Avenue Stop & Shop store manager Wayne Sara has allowed the Scouts to set up outside his store location for years. “I was a Scout growing up and enjoyed everything about the program,” he said. “My dad was very involved and took our Troop to Gettysburg, Valley Forge and hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Looking back, I really appreciate all the parents who were involved in Scouting.” Sara was a Scout in Troop 199, Fairfield, Connecticut and earned the Rank of Eagle in 1973.
Participating supermarkets:
Saturday, March 14th 9am-3pm
ACME Market, Riverside Commons
Sunday, March 15th 9am-12pm
Stop & Shop, 161 West Putnam Avenue
Saturday, March 21st 9am-12pm
Kings Market, 26 Arcadia Road
Drop-off Locations:
From 9:00am to 11:30am on Saturday, March 21st, food donations can be brought to one of the four drop-off locations:
- Christ Church, 254 East Putnam Avenue
- Glenville Volunteer Fire Company, 266 Glenville Road
- Cos Cob Volunteer Fire Company, 200 East Putnam Avenue
- Sound Beach Volunteer Fire Department, 207 Sound Beach Avenue, Old GreenwichGreenwich residents are encouraged to drop-off non-expired items, such as canned beans (not green), canned fruit, tuna, boxed milk, pasta sauce, pasta, jelly, peanut butter and more. All donated food will be sorted and then delivered by Scouts to Neighbor to Neighbor.
For residents interested in making online donations of fresh fruits and vegetables click here.
Since its inception in 1912, Greenwich Scouting goals have remained the same, emphasizing youth adventure, leadership, learning, outdoor exploration, and perhaps most importantly, service. Scouts are encouraged to “Do a Good Turn Daily”. Greenwich Scouting partners with Neighbor to Neighbor to help fill the increasing need for food for families in the area, especially during non-holiday times, such as March. Neighbor to Neighbor provides nutritious meals monthly for over 660 local families through their “Client Choice” food pantry, where clients actually have the opportunity to do their own shopping. Approximately 47% of the food provided by Neighbor to Neighbor feeds children at or below the poverty level.
To learn more about the Greenwich “Scouting for Food” drive, visit www.GreenwichScouting.
org