Local Boys Scouts Have Collected Over 8 Million Pounds of Food

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI - The Narragansett Council Boy Scouts of America hosted its 27th annual Scouting for Food Drive on November 1, collecting food for Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts and Connecticut. Since its first drive in 1988, Scouts have collected over 8 million pounds of food making it New England’s largest and most successful food drive.

Over the past weekend, thousands of Boy Scouts across Rhode Island, Southern CT, and Southeastern MA collected donations from the neighborhoods across the region and delivered them to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and local food pantries. In spite of inclement weather, over 200 different Scouting Packs and Troops participated and more than 130,000 pounds of food was collected. Additional donations can be dropped off at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank any weekday between 8 am and 5 pm. The Food Bank is located at 200 Niantic Ave., Providence.

“Every year we are so impressed by our Scouting for Food effort,” said John Mosby, Narragansett Council Scout Executive.

“Even with the high winds and cold rain against them, the Narragansett Council put their best foot forward to make this drive a success. This drive is a long-standing tradition and would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the Scouts, the food bank and our volunteers.”

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 14.4 percent of households are lacking food and about 4.6 percent are at risk of going hungry.

“It’s always nice to see the community come together for a good cause, even in difficult times,” said Mosby.

“We continue to be touched by the community’s support,” said Andrew Schiff, CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. “We are 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 extend their gratitude to everyone who donated and participated in this year’s drive.

If the Boy Scouts were not able to cover your neighborhood, please visit www.rifoodbank.org/getfood to find a food pantry near you, or drop your donation off at the Food Bank, 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence any weekday between 8 am and 5 pm.

The Rhode Island Community Food Bank is a non-profit organization located in Providence, RI. In the past fiscal year, the Food Bank distributed 9.9 million pounds of food to its statewide network of 169 member agencies. For more information about the Food Bank, please visit www.rifoodbank.org.

About the Narragansett Council: The Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America’s mission is to serve others by helping to instill values in young people and, in other ways, prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential. The Narragansett Council offers a program for boys and young men ages 6 to 21 and young women ages 14 to 21, serving over 12,000 young people in Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Pawcatuck, Connecticut. For more information, please log on to www.narragansettbsa.org