Neighbor News
Eagle Scout Food Drive to Benefit the Children of Farmington
Eagle Scout Food Drive to Help the Community
Of all the issues children face, not knowing where their next meal will come from is one of the most heartbreaking. According to the US Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service, in 2012 alone “more than 31.6 million children each day got their lunch through the National School Lunch Program.” This program, while helpful for providing kids with discounted or free meals based on financial need, does not provide kids food during the summer. Farmington Public Schools is also not part of the USDA’s Seamless Summer Option, which would allow kids to receive lunches from schools over the summer.
Oftentimes, these children and their families turn to organizations such as the Farmington Food Pantry, a not-for-profit group located in the First Church of Christ at 75 Main Street in Farmington. On behalf of the food pantry and children in need, Jonathan Olshefski, a Boy Scout in Troop 170 of Unionville, is accepting donations for his Eagle Project. His goal is to collect 3,000 pounds of food to help the kids who will rely on the pantry this summer.
Donations will be accepted at the Staples house, located at 2 Monteith Drive in Farmington, across from the Farmington Library between the weeks of May 8th to June 9th, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The following donations are preferred, however any donation will be accepted:
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- Macaroni and Cheese
- Pasta
- Granola Bars
- Apple Sauce
- Popcorn
- Oatmeal
- Peanut Butter
- Jelly
- Soups
- Cookies
- Gold Fish
- Cheese-Its
- Animal Crackers
- Fruit Snacks
- Cereal
- Crackers
- Raisins
- Pop-Tarts
- Rice Krispy Treats
- Gatorade
- Juice Boxes
- Chef Boyardee
- Fruit Cups
- Pudding
- Pretzels
In addition to this, Jonathan and volunteers will be outside of the Stop & Shop of Unionville on May 13th, 14th, 28th, as well as June 10th and 11th, accepting donations from 10:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m.
If you have the means to donate, consider helping the kids of Farmington who, instead of relaxing on the beach, will be going to the food pantry to get the food they need this summer.
