Look for area Boy Scouts out this month “Scouting for Food”.
More than 900 Cub and Boy Scouts and their leaders in Blair County are collecting nutritious food and household goods to stock the local food pantries.
The United Way of Blair County has 15 drop-off sites including Sam’s Club and Weis’ Markets for folks to “add an item” to their shopping list for the 30% of residents who don’t earn enough to make ends meet.
Melanie Shildt, Blair County United Way explains, “The food pantries are always in need of donations, especially around the holidays and they’ll receive these donations right before Thanksgiving. They are always looking for higher protein items, tuna, peanut butter, anything non-perishable, sometimes diapers are donated.”
“Through our partnership with the Laurel Highlands Council of the Boy Scouts, we will be able to assist the local community food pantries and help families in need throughout Blair County,” stated Melanie Shildt, Executive Director of the United Way of Blair County. “We are excited about the response from the community and their interest in helping Scouts to stock the local food pantries with nutritious food.”
In Blair County, approximately 15% of the population lives below the poverty level, with an estimated 30% of the population unable to meet their daily living and food needs. Households seeking food assistance include many with working adults that just don’t earn enough to make ends meet.
A focus of Scouting for Food is to increase the nutritional value of the food items donated. High protein food like tuna fish, canned beans, and peanut butter are needed, along with high-fiber cereal, 100 percent juice drinks and canned fruit. Important non-grocery items include toilet paper, soap, and toothpaste. Food donations can be dropped off during normal business hours from October 17 to November 17 at one of the following locations:
Martinsburg Community Library
Nason Hospital
Garver YMCA
Roaring Spring Community Library
Claysburg Library
Tyrone Fitness & Wellness Center
Gardners Candies
Bellwood-Antis Public Library
Weis (Pleasant Valley Blvd.)
Weis (Park Hills Plaza)
Sam’s Club
Playtime Pottery
Woodrow Wilson Gardens
Penn Highlands Blair Center (Logan Valley Mall)
United Way of Blair County
“We are grateful to the Boy Scouts for yet another year of dedication to serving their communities,” said Fred Pasquini, Assistant Director at St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry. “The food and funds collected during Scouting for Food provide much needed meals for thousands of families that are struggling. Many thanks to the Scouts and to all the businesses and individuals involved in carrying out this colossal effort for our neighbors.”
