St. Peters Girl Scouts kick off cookie booth sales with a successful weekend at Schnucks

Miss out on the first wave of Girl Scout Cookie sales? Craving Thin Mints and Caramel deLites? Not sure where to find Shortbreads and Peanut Butter Patties? Never fear! Your search just became as simple as clicking a button.

Girl Scouts, such as St. Peters’ own Troop 496, who sold cookies on Saturday morning at Schnucks in St. Peters, will be selling cookies at local businesses throughout Eastern Missouri. From big grocery stores like Schnucks and Dierbergs to stores like Petco and Walmart, Girl Scouts will sell cookies from February 29 through March 18 as part of the second wave of their annual cookie sale. There is no order required; you can buy boxes of cookies on the spot for $3.50 per package.

“Thin Mints are our most popular cookie, with Caramel deLites a close second,” the girls said on Saturday morning. They estimated they’d probably sell between “65 and 100 boxes.”

Cookie booths are easier to find this year, too. Simply point your browser to http://girlscoutcookies.org and enter your zip code to generate a list of locations and times. If you have an iPhone or other Apple device, you can also visit the site to download the cookie finder app, which uses your GPS location to find the closest booth to you. It even comes complete with alerts to let you know when a cookie booth near you is open for business.

Troop 496 is raising money for special troop events, including a year-end outing, which they will decide on as a group. All proceeds from cookie sales do stay within the community to benefit local girls. Troops use the money for everything from field trips to community service projects; with these funds, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri can also deliver programs for girls, provide training for adult volunteers and maintain their three local Girl Scout camps.

Through the Girl Scout Cookie program, girls develop five essential life skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. It is the largest girl-led business in the world and generates immeasurable benefits for girls and their communities. Did you ever sell cookies as a Girl Scout? Girl Scouts are reconnecting with alumnae at http://scoutingforgirlscouts.org, where you can sign up and tell your Girl Scout story. The organization has been selling cookies for more than 80 years. Got a craving for cookies? Get online and find yours today!