Kearny Scouts, Unit 305 "Scouting for Food" Restocks Food Pantry
Over two weekends, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and leaders from Unit 305 went "Scouting for Food" to restock the shelves of the food pantry at St. Stephen's Church in Kearny. Thanks to the generosity of parishioners and Scouting families, more than $35 in cash donations were collected in addition to a total of 1,761 non-perishable food items.
"Scouting for Food" as a Boy Scouts of America service project began in 1988 to address the growing number of families with children requesting emergency food. Over the years, as more families struggled to provide nourishment, Scouts continued their efforts to help feed the hungry. Providing community service is at the core of Scouting where Scouts are encouraged to "Do a Good Turn Daily." For Unit 305, this is not just a slogan but a call to action.
During the last weekend of October, Scouts from Unit 305 distributed plastic "Scouting for Food" bags after all five Masses at St. Stephen's Church. This past weekend, Scouts returned before all five Masses to collect the bags filled with non-perishable food for the pantry. Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and leaders donated 87.5 hours of their time to collect the food and toiletries, sort them into categories, reorganize the shelves, and restock the food pantry with 1,761donated goods.
Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of Unit 305 in Kearny work together to reorganize and restock the shelves of the Food Pantry at St. Stephen's Church as part of their annual "Scouting for Food" community service project / photo courtesy of Christine Jablonski, Unit 305
St. Stephen's Church, sponsor of Unit 305, hosts its food pantry year-round. Large plastic bins are located inside the church's vestibule. To donate through the Scouts, contact the leadership through the website www.KearnyScouts.com.
Cub Scouts of Unit 305 thank donors while accepting donations of non-perishable food items to restock the Food Pantry of St. Stephen's Church in Kearny as part of their annual "Scouting for Food" community service project.