Lord Robert Baden Powell, the founder of Scouting worldwide, said, "The most worthwhile thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others." Scouting isn't just about earning badges and recognitions. Scouting strives to prepare youth to become responsible, participating citizens and leaders who are guided by the values of Scout Oath and Law. Scout Leaders throughout Kennebec Valley District, try to foster in our Cubs and Scouts an attitude of service especially for those in their community who are struggling. That's where the annual Scouting for Food Drive comes in.

Ingrid Teplemann is an adult leader with Pack 200 in Camden and was very proud of the work those Cub Scouts did to help the needy.

"The scouts went door to door along several preplanned routes, each about a mile and a half, in the community where they had left Scouting for Food flyers at houses the previous Sunday. Some scouts and their parents stayed behind at the church to receive food and clothing donations brought in by members of the community in response to our Scouting for Food news announcement," she said.

They brought a van full of food to the Camden Area Christian Food Pantry.

"They were delighted!” said Teplemann. “This pantry serves the communities of Appleton, Camden, Hope, Isleboro, Lincolnville, Rockport, Searsmont, Union, Washington, and others in need. We gave all of the donated winter clothing, along with some of the more ready-to-eat food, to the SOS Room. The SOS Room is one of the church’s ministries and serves local area people in transition, in the process of relocating due to family hardship situations" Leaders were quick to praise the outpouring of support and generosity from the community and called "each donation a beacon of support fueling our commitment to make a difference. This support is instrumental in shaping young minds and fostering a spirit of generosity."

According to Kennebec Valley District Scouting for Food Chair Shelley Connolly of Pittsfield, the national food drive began in 1985. Connolly said, "On average, 1 in 4 children in Maine is at risk for hunger DAILY, and 37% of them do not qualify for public assistance. They are even more vulnerable when school is not in session (summers, vacation weeks and weekends). All Scouting Units (Packs, Troops and Crews) are charged with conducting at least one Scouting for Food collection annually."

She stressed that this can be done either in the Fall or the Spring depending on when the greatest need exists in their particular community. 

"It’s our National Good Turn for America. Fall and Spring collections are recommended."

Scout leaders, working with their local food bank or pantry, pick a date to conduct their food drive. Some choose to go door to door collecting food while in other towns the Scouts fill a tent or a canoe outside a grocery store. Any funds donated to the Scouts at these collection efforts is used to buy additional food for the needy. 

"Our Scout Oath calls on our young people to “help other people at all times,” and Scouting for Food demonstrates to the nation how our movement can make a difference in their communities," Connolly said.  
 
Similiar collections happened  in the past week elsewhere in the Kennbec Valley District of Scouting from Jackman to Augusta and Sidney to Winthrop and Monmouth. Each Scouting program making a valuable help to their community. 
 
Connolly is also the leader for Cubs and Scouts in the Pittsfield area.

"Troop and Pack 428 held its annual Scouting for Food event at Danforth's Downhome Supermarket in Pittsfield on November 11," she said. "Scouts accepted food items from the very generous customers in the community. Additionally, the Scouts set up a Veteran's Day display and gave Veteran's a small gift as they came through. Some customers gave the Scout a monetary donation for the event. The older Scouts would then take a Cub Scout shopping.  It's always interesting to see what elementary school aged children think would be good in a pantry. They also were able to practice thrifty shopping skills to yield the most amount of items for the amount they had to spend. In the end the Scouts collected just over 900 pounds of food. This food was distributed to three area pantries: Hartland's Food Cupboard, Somerset Elementary Food Pantry and Warsaw School's Food Pantry. Thank you so much to Danforth's for hosting us and the generous customers and community members who shop there."