Boy Scouts launch largest annual food drive

Chandler, TX - On February 10, the Boy Scouts of America will kick off its 20th annual Scouting for Food drive collecting food donations for the needy across our communities.

Scouting for Food is the Boy Scouts of America's largest service project involving an estimated 10,000 Scouts and volunteers. Since 2000, Scouts in Circle Ten Council, their families and volunteer leaders have collected over 3.1 million food items for our neighbors living with hunger.

The council's goal this year is 500,000 items.

On Saturday, February 10, Cub Scouts from Pack 342 and Boy Scouts from Troop 342 will be collecting food in plastic bags on door steps across the community.

The work will begin about 10:00 a.m. The food collected will be kept for use locally at God's Open Hands an outreach ministry that serves a large number of people every month. So be ready for that knock on your door or the ring on your bell.

If you will not be at home on February 10 and would like to donate please call one of the numbers at the end of this article.

Food donations needed include canned items such as vegetables, meats, chili, soups or juices, and baby formula. Boxed or bagged meals and pastas are also welcome. The ideal food donation bag would include one of each. (Please-nothing perishable, frozen or in glass. Monetary donations cannot be accepted.)

This is the twentieth year for the national Scouting for Food collection drive. The Boy Scouts of America is hoping to make this the largest food collection yet.

The Circle Ten Council has set high standards for our Pack and Troop. Our community deserves the best support we can give it. You can be a part of making this a huge success with just a little sharing.

The Following Day, February 11, will be the observance of Scout Sunday at First United Methodist Church in Chandler TX. This day provides the sponsoring organization, the United Methodist Men of FUMC, an opportunity to recognize the boys involved in scouting and to allow the boys involved a chance to service the organi- zation as ushers and in other aspects of the service.

There is also the annual Bar-B-Que fund raiser following the service. This fundraiser provides one of the primary sources of funds provided by the sponsoring organization for the Pack and Troop. Your support is most appreciated.

If you know of a boy who is interested in becoming a scout the Cub Scouts meet on Mondays at 7:00 PM and the Boy Scouts meet on Mondays at 6:30 PM. It's never the wrong time of year to start your adventure in scouting.

For more information about the Scouting for Food drive or Scouting Sunday, please contact:

Frank Griffin, Scoutmaster, Troop 342, Chandler TX, (903) 849-3923 or First United Methodist Church, Chandler TX, (903) 849- 6839.