Unit 305 "Scouting for Food" Restocks Food Pantry

Over two weekends, 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, contributions included more than $10 in cash donations in addition to a total of 1,448 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 yellow 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 67.5 hours of their time to collect the food items, sort them into categories, reorganize the shelves, and restock the food pantry with 1,448 donated goods.

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.

Troop/Pack 305 was organized in 1933 and continues to provide youth leadership training to boys and young men in Kearny, Harrison, East Newark, and surrounding towns as Unit 305. Boy Scout meetings (Grades 6 and up) are held on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. Cub Scout meetings (Kindergarten through Grade 5) are on Friday nights at 7 p.m. All Kearny Unit 305 Scouts meet in Hedges Hall in the lower level of St. Stephen's Church in Kearny. For more information or to join, contact them through the website www.KearnyScouts.com.