Bag Some Food for Boy Scouts

Barrington Boy Scouts will drop off empty plastic bags on your doorsteps on Saturday, Oct. 29.

The boys will return the following Saturday, Nov. 5, starting at 9 am, to pick up the bags – hopefully filled with non-perishable food.

Most of the food collected by the Boy Scouts goes directly to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, which services local food pantries like the one operated by TAP-IN in Barrington.

Yes, it’s time for the 24th annual Scouting for Food Drive. The Boy Scouts are counting on you to help them provide neighbors in need with food.

If you can help, you are encouraged to fill the bags with the Rhode Island Community Food Bank’s most needed items. Here is the list:

• Protein: canned soup, tuna, meats, peanut butter, nuts
• Canned fruits and vegetables, including juices and dried fruit and tomato sauce
• Carbohydrates: nutritious breakfast cereals, whole wheat pasta and rice
• Crackers, granola bars, and cheese and cracker packages
• Canned or dried beans

The food drive is the largest one in New England, according to the Narraganset Council Boy Scouts of America. More than 200 Boy Scout packs and troops are participating.

“Our Scouts work hard each year to make the drive a success,” said Dave Anderson of the Narragansett Council. “We encourage donations of any size as thousands of families are still struggling and in need of help.”

More than 300,000 pounds of food was collected during last year’s food drive, according to the Council.

“The Scouts set a tremendous example for young people by giving their time to help people in their own community who are struggling to meet their basic food needs,” said Andrew Schiff, CEO of the Food Bank. “The issue of hunger really hits home in Rhode Island. Currently, one of three persons we serve is a child under the age of 18.”