Last weekend, scouts in Morgan Hill and Gilroy demonstrated their oath “to help other people at all times” in their local communities by collecting and donating items for the annual Scouting for Food drive.
The food drive took place over two weekends. On Nov. 7, Cub Scouts Pack 785 in Gilroy went door to door placing door hangers on residences, requesting donations of non-perishable items, according to a press release from Boy Scouts of America Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council. The scouts returned to the homes Nov. 16 to collect the donated items, and transported them to St. Joseph’s Family Center in Gilroy, where they will be distributed to needy families.
In addition, Boy Scouts Troops 799, 706 and 709 brought carloads of donated items to St. Catherine Catholic Church in Morgan Hill.
Food donated to the Scouting for Food drive throughout the South Bay will be distributed to 10 food banks in Santa Clara, San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. The donations will provide meals for thousands of families in need during this holiday season, according to the Boy Scouts.
The Scouting for Food drive is the largest coordinated community service effort for local scouts.
“Scouting for Food is meant to engage the entire community in the fight against hunger,” said Ian McFayden, volunteer chair for the Scouting for Food drive. “’Do a Good Turn Daily’ is the slogan of the Boy Scouts of America, and Scouting for Food encourages scouts of all age groups to engage with their local community to do a good turn for those in their local community who are less fortunate and who need support during the holiday.”
