Scouting for Food

Scouting for Food is one of nation’s largest food drives that Cub Scouts, Scouts, and Venturers participate in to support their local food pantries and hunger-relief agencies.

The Scouts of the Cradle of Liberty Council have continuously exceeded expectations and helped fulfil the need.

2020 Dates

Door Hanger Drop-Off: Saturday, November 14th

Food Pick-Up: Saturday, November 21st

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, there are important changes to how the campaign will be conducted this year.

Some of the more important changes to note:

• ALL Participants must follow all physical distancing and sanitizing  guidelines set-forth by the PA Department of Health and the CDC, including wearing face coverings and maintaining a six foot physical separation from those outside of their immediate household members.
• All units must have permission in writing from their chartered organization in order to participate.
• All units are strongly encouraged to establish a drive-in contactless collection site on the day of food collection where members of the community can bring food items for donation
• Cub Scouts will only be allowed to participate with their own family in their own neighborhood.  While Packs are allowed to coordinate this activity among participants, they are not allowed to organize a pack-wide group event.
• For ScoutsBSA Troops, Venturing Crews, and Sea Ships,  and anyone participating at a collection site:
  • Each participant must complete a health screening questionnaire before they participate in door hanger distribution or food collection. Those who answer YES to any question, will not be allowed to participate.
  • Immediately prior to the event, all participants must be screened for symptoms of Covid-19, including having their temperature taken.  Those showing any symptoms, or who have a fever above 100.0 ˚F will not be allowed to attend or participate.

For more information and to download the health screening questionnaire, click here

If Scouts left a hanger on your door, please consider donating non-perishable food items in recycled bags or boxes and leave it in a visible location outside your home by 8:30 AM on the day indicated on the door hanger for Scouts to collect.

▪  Suggested donations include:

• • Peanut butter & jelly
  • Cooking oil
  • Canned tuna or meat
  • Canned fruits & vegetables
  • Canned stews & soups
  • Oatmeal breakfast cereal
  • Whole grain pasta
  • 100% juice
  • Rice
  • Boxed non-refrigerated milk

▪  Please do not donate perishable or frozen foods. Also, do not donate items in glass jars.

▪  If you did not receive a door hanger or Scouts were unable to pick-up your donation, please consider taking the items to your local food pantry.

For a list of food banks in the area, please visit http://www.hungercoalition.org/food-pantries

Scout Unit Resources

We realize the transition from bags to door hangers has presented challenges for some, but the BSA prides itself on teaching the values of environmental stewardship and we’re not putting those values into practice by introducing hundreds of thousands of plastic bags into the ecosystem each year. Besides, more and more municipalities are banning plastic grocery bags, so we’re trying to stay ahead of the curve. Most households have plastic or paper bags or boxes they can use to put the food out for pick-up. Based on feedback from last year, we’re going to change the die cut of the hangers so they’re less likely to fall off doors.

We’ve received word that some units are requesting bags from local grocery stores, including our partners at ACME, because they feel door hangers aren’t sufficient. The stores do not have a budget for this and it puts them in an uncomfortable position. We respectfully ask that units do not request bags from grocery stores, out of respect for our partners and for the reasons outlined above. Thank you for your cooperation!

Thanksgiving Day Parade