Mendham Cub Scouts donate to the Chester Food Pantry

Cub Scouts from Mendham’s Pack 133 participated in a long-standing tradition of community service by organizing a Thanksgiving food drive for the Chester Food Pantry on November 19, 2016. The effort was a resounding success with three “car trunk loads” of food, including 8 turkeys, provided by the scouts and their families!

Led by Den Leader Adam Maurer and parent Lauri Stroup, the Pack families brought bags of non-perishable items to the monthly Pack meeting Friday night. Early the next morning, five scouts and their families arrived at the Anythyme Farm in Chester to pick kale, arugula, brussel sprouts and potatoes. Mrs. Stroup is a CSA (“community supported agriculture”) member of Anythyme Farm. Upon learning that CSA members were invited to a special Thanksgiving harvest specifically for the Chester Food Pantry, Mrs. Stroup tossed the farming idea to Mr. Maurer. “With integrating the harvest into our annual Thanksgiving food drive, the scouts learned a valuable lesson in where food comes from,” said Mr. Maurer. “In return, the Pantry customers gained access to fresh, healthy food. We’re grateful to Anythyme farm for the opportunity.”

The experience of donating to a food pantry local to the Mendham-Chester area imparted a valuable lesson not lost on the scouts. They realized that their efforts could benefit children in their own school, leading to a fuller sense of purpose to the activity.

Chester Food Pantry employees provided the Scouts with a tour of the facility and described how the food was stored and distributed. The freshly harvested vegetables were washed and bagged, turkeys stuffed in freezers, and non-perishable goods shelved in pantry.

The Chester Food Pantry is located at 100 North Road in Highlands Ridge Park in Chester and work hours are every Wednesday from 9-11 AM. There are collection bins around town. The Pantry appreciates all donations of non-perishable food items as well as hygiene products, health and beauty aids and paper products.

Mendham Cub Scouts

Mendham's Cub Scout Pack 133 is an active pack comprised of boys in 1st through 5th grade. Pack meetings are held once a month on Fridays in Fellowship Hall at Hilltop House at 14 Hilltop Rd, Mendham, NJ. Make a difference in your community! Join the Cub Scouts! To learn more visit www.mendhampack133.org or email info@mendhampack133.org.