Door-to-door “alert”: West Seattle Boy Scouts’ food drive ahead

Most of our door-to-door alerts are of the “beware” variety. These upcoming door-to-door visitors hope to be welcomed. It’s time again for West Seattle Boy Scouts‘ door-to-door food drive, with notices this Saturday and pickups a week later – Rick McMinn of Troop 282 provides the details:

Since 1910, the ideals of Scouting have guided young men to perform “service to others and to the community.” Responding to the plight of America’s poor and hungry is a traditional Scouting “good turn.” During World War I, Boy Scouts planted vegetable gardens to provide food for the hungry. President Roosevelt called on Scouts to collect food for the needy during the Great Depression. Planting Victory Gardens were the Scouting “good turns” organized during World War II.

Today, Boy Scouts continue their Good Turn efforts in community stewardship through Scouting for Food. Scouts from West Seattle will walk our neighborhoods delivering door hangers on Saturday, March 13. The following Saturday, March 20, Scouts will follow-up to collect non-perishable food item donations and deliver them to the West Seattle Food Bank. Emphasis is on food most needed for nutrition such as peanut butter, baby formula, packaged meals and canned goods, especially tuna, soups, stews, meats, fruits and vegetables.

Please help support the hungry in our community. Watch for a door hanger on your door and get your donations out early on March 20th, so you can join our Scouts in “Doing a Good Turn Daily.”

Food Items Needed for Pickup Sat March 20

Canned meats – Canned vegetables – Boxed cereal – Canned milk – Canned tuna fish – Baby formula – Instant potatoes – Macaroni – Peanut butter in jars – Canned soup (chunky style) – Canned fruit – Beef stew – Pasta – Other non-perishable foods

(The next door-to-door food drive we know about after this one is the “Stamp Out Hunger” postal carriers’ drive, this year on May 8, same day as West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day!)

7 Replies to "Door-to-door "alert": West Seattle Boy Scouts' food drive ahead"

  • José March 10, 2010 (5:10 pm)

    I’m sorry, but no matter how good the cause, NO ONE should be going door-to-door in this day.
    .
    It’s dangerous for the Scouts, and it cracks the door ever-so-slightly in the mind of the public to this type of solicitation, thereby giving criminals an *in*.
    .
    And, there’s simply no reason for it. Local Troops could set up outside of large businesses, as we’re all accustomed to seeing from the Girl Scouts, Salvation Army, etc.
    .
    Not trying to denigrate the effort, which I’m 100% certain is heartfelt; but there are better ways to accomplish the goal without resorting to a tactic mainly used by criminals now.

  • Eagle Scout Mom March 10, 2010 (6:53 pm)

    Jose – I know you mean well, but please know that each scout team (two to six boys) is accompanied by one or more adult leaders in cars on both the bag drop off and pick up. Neighborhood blocks are assigned for pick up and drop off, so the boys know exactly where to look.

    I’ve experienced this with my son and his troop during several years of rain, snow, and sometimes nice weather. No matter what, those boys run along the blocks and love what they do to help others. There is even a friendly competition among local troops to see who delivers the most food to the food bank.

    I hope you will fill up your grocery bag if they make it to your door. I hope West Seattle will support Scouting for Food and the West Seattle Food Bank!

  • derby dad March 11, 2010 (2:52 am)

    Do the Scouts still discriminate against gays and lesbians?

  • Jim March 11, 2010 (8:11 am)

    Isn’t it going off the deep-end a bit to say that knocking on your neighbor’s door is a tactic mainly used by criminals?

  • dsa March 11, 2010 (11:15 am)

    What’s the big deal Jose? Read the article:
    “… Watch for a door hanger on your door and get your donations out early on March 20th, so you can join our Scouts in “Doing a Good Turn Daily.”

  • Eagle Scout Mom March 11, 2010 (8:33 pm)

    @ derby dad – please do not judge your neighborhood troops by an entire national organization based in the Bible Belt of our great nation. I am proud to love my gay family member that was a former scout and scouting supporter today. Never forget that scouting relies on the “Buddy System” that follows two scouts one adult, or two adults one scout – it’s called Two Deep Leadership. It is a very important rule that committed scouting adult and adolscent troop members follow to the letter – you should DEMAND/HOPE/WISH that our school districts followed the system – because they don’t!

  • derby dad March 12, 2010 (4:52 pm)

    Eagle Scout Mom,
    My question was not a judgemental one, nor a question about this organization’s methods or leadership style. My question simply is- can my openly gay son (who I love, too) join the scouts. Now, I don’t know if he even wants to join or not, but if the answer is non-inclusion for him or others like him, I believe the Scouts should not be supported at any level. Thank God our school districts allow him the equal opportunity to take part in all kid’s activities. That would suck if we had to merely HOPE/WISH for equality in our schools, like we do with the Scouts.

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