(Oct. 2014) The Revolutionary Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America, New York Sash and the Interfaith Coalition of Utica announce the annual Scouting for Food collection drive. Scouts and other volunteers will be distributing grocery bags throughout Central New York on Saturday, November 1 for residents to fill with non-perishable food items. The bags will be picked up the following Saturday, Nov. 8.
Last year, more than 50,000 pounds of food were collected and distributed to local food banks and pantries in Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Lewis and Otsego counties. Nearly 2,000 volunteers are involved in this annual collection drive.
“Learning to be a good citizen through service to others is one of the core values of Scouting, and this is a great opportunity for Scouts to join together for their community and help their neighbors in need,” said Steven McEwan, Scout Executive, Revolutionary Trails Council, BSA.
Beginning at 9 a.m. on Nov. 8, Scouts and adult volunteers will return to area neighborhoods to pick up donations of non-perishable food. The donations will then be sorted and distributed to local food banks, pantries and cupboards.
Community members who are unable to take part in the bag collection on November 8 can still drop off their donations to the Scout Service Center, Nov. 3-7 during regular business hours: Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In addition, First Presbyterian Church on Genesee St. in Utica will be accepting donations made after Nov. 8.