Community Corner
Scouts to Collect Food Donations in Concord Saturday
Some 40,000 scouts throughout the Bay Area will go door-to-door to help stock the shelves at food banks.
Come Saturday, Boy Scouts as young as 6 years old will reap a harvest rich enough to feed the hungry through the winter months and the demands of the holiday season.
Across the nation and across town, scouts will go door-to-door collecting boxed, bagged and canned foods to stock the shelves at food banks.
The yearly event, called “Scouting for Food,” draws as many as 40,000 Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Venturers, Explorers in the Bay Area. The participants hope to garner some 450,000 pounds of nonperishable foods.
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“We don’t get donations during the summer, so we really depend on this drive” heading into the winter months and holidays, when needs go up, said Lisa Sherill of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.
Clients range from families with young children to seniors, many of whom depend on the donations to meet basic nutritional needs. Sherill suggested peanut butter, canned meats, low-sodium canned vegetables, and canned fruits packed in juice — not syrup.
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Last Saturday, scouts placed door-hangers on homes, promoting the drive and asking residents to have donations ready by 9 a.m. Nov. 17.
Residents who did not receive a door-hanger are not on a collection route, but they can still contribute by dropping off donations between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at various locations, or by checking for year-round drop-off points.
“Even with 40,000 Scouts on collection routes, we can’t hit every doorstep," said Tim Buchen, director of support services for Boy Scouts of America. "So it’s critical that people help us out by dropping off food at their local site or participating in a Scout troop’s Virtual Food Drive.”
They won’t earn any badges — community service is expected of scouts, Buchen said — but they have plenty of fun.
Safeway, Lucky and Grocery Outlet, among other local businesses, have in-store barrels to accept donations for Bay Area food banks throughout the holiday season.
Here are food donation drop-off points in Concord:
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
4010 Nelson Ave.
Farm Bureau Hall
5554 Clayton Rd.
Oak Grove Latter Day Saints Church
2930 Treat Blvd.
Will you be donating to the Boy Scout food drive or taking part in another way? Comment below.
