Local Boy Scouts Collect 150K+ Pounds Of Food In Annual Drive

NARRAGANSETT, RI — The Narraganset Council of the Boy Scouts of America collected more than 150,000 pounds of food over the last week as part of this year's Scouting for Food campaign. Scouts went door-to-door across Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, soliciting donations of nutritious, nonperishable food items for those in need.

Across the council, nearly 200 packs and troops took part in the collection effort. This year's donations exceeded those collected in 2019, the council said.

"Scouting for Food is an important event for the communities we are a part of in Southern New England. Each year, we aim to help those most in need," said Tim McCandless, the CEO of the Narragansett Council. "With increasing food insecurity due to the pandemic, the hard work and determination of our Scouts and leaders during this food drive is truly commendable."

Scouts played tags on doors soliciting donations, then returned on Saturday morning to collect bags of nonperishables. The food was then delivered to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and other local food pantries.

"Scouting For Food has had an immense impact on thousands of Rhode Island families over the last 34 years," said Andrew Schiff, the CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. "As we head into the holiday season and the winter months, these donations will do so much to help us serve our neighbors in need of food assistance."

The Scouting For Food drive has been held since 1988, collecting nearly 10 million pounds of food in total.

"We are excited to continue our 34th year of Scouting for Food with our partner the Rhode Island Community Food Bank," said Carl Papino, who chairs the Scouting for Food Committee. "With COVID-19 impacting local families so much, the need for food donations has increased drastically. Our Scouts will be going door to door on Nov. 6 and we are counting on our communities to generously donate to the drive."

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2021, more than 42 million Americans won’t have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations.* Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.