'Scouting for Food' in Greenwich

On Saturday, March 7, Greenwich Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts will participate in the “Scouting for Food” drive by collecting food from local residents to benefit Neighbor to Neighbor.

From 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., food donations can be brought to one of the four drop-off locations: Glenville Volunteer Fire Co. at 266 Glenville Rd.; the Cos Cob Volunteer Fire Co. at 200 E. Putnam Ave.; the Sound Beach Volunteer Fire Department at 207 Sound Beach Ave.; and Christ Church’s Parish Hall Auditorium at 254 E. Putnam Ave. State Rep. Fred Camillo is the honorary chair of the drive.

Greenwich residents will be able to drop-off non-expired items such as canned beans (not green), canned fruit, tuna, boxed milk, pasta sauce, jelly, peanut butter and more. All donated food will be sorted then delivered by the scouts to Neighbor to Neighbor, with a goal of surpassing the 2014 collection of more than 220 crates of food totaling more than 3 tons.

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” and the “Scouting for Food” drive has been the council’s largest annual good turn for nearly 30 years. Greenwich Scouting is again partnering with Greenwich’s Neighbor to Neighbor, located at Christ Church, to help fill the increasing need for food for families in the area, especially during non-holiday times like March.

Neighbor to Neighbor provides nutritious meals monthly for over 650 local families through their “Client Choice” food pantry where clients actually have the opportunity to do their own shopping at the food pantry. 47% of the food provided by Neighbor to Neighbor feeds children.

To learn more about the Greenwich “Scouting for Food” drive visit www.GreenwichScouting.org.

Contributed photos: #1: Troop 11 Boy Scouts Eric Meindle, Harry Nye and Jamie Meindle with adult volunteer and Greenwich Scouting board member Tom Ohlson; #2: Helping out at last year’s food drive are Pack 10 Cub Scout Daulton Kendall and CT State Representative and food drive honorary chair Fred Camillo.

To sign up for Greenwich news alerts and more, click here.