For 29 years, the Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America has hosted its annual Scouting for Food Drive, the largest food drive throughout New England. Over the past few weeks, thousands of Scouts across the state canvassed local communities to collect food for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and area food pantries. As a result, 225,000 pounds of food were donated from the community.
Food donations continue to remain steady for the Scouting for Food Drive. Since the Council’s first drive in 1988, Scouts have collected over 9 million pounds of food for Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts and Connecticut.
“Each year, our Scouts’ involvement is a true testament to the lessons and values Scouting teaches our youth,” said Tim McCandless, the Narragansett Council’s Scout Executive/CEO. “We continue to be grateful for all of our community members’ help in donating to a great cause.”
In an economy that has been slow to recover, many have found themselves looking to the Food Bank for support. In Rhode Island alone, the USDA reports that nearly 11.8 percent of households are lacking food and 4.7% of Rhode Island households experience severe hunger. 146,000 Rhode Islanders are living in poverty.
“This food drive is so critical to our ability to serve the 1in 8 Rhode Islanders in need of food assistance, especially as we head into the winter months,” said Andrew Schiff, CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Scouts, their families and Troop leaders, and to those who donate to their neighbors in need.”
“The Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank would like to thank everyone who donated and participated in the drive,” added McCandless. “Without your generosity, Scouting for Food would not be possible.”
