Scouting For Food

Scouting for Food collects literally tens of thousands of food items each year for distribution to local food pantries.  Started in 1985 by the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Scouting for Food has expanded to other councils across the country.

Bags are distributed to households on the one Saturday in November, and full bags are collected on the following Saturday (check the Council website for annual dates).

Here are some things to keep in mind during this event:

General –

1. All Scouts & Scouters should be in full uniform. The public will be able to identify who you are and what you are doing.  It is a great opportunity to display Scouting in a positive light!

2. Scouts should travel in groups of two or more.  Adults should be nearby at all times.

3. Scouts should never enter private homes.

4. Be sure to cover any new developments within your assigned area, even if they are not depicted on your map!

Bag Distribution –
1. Bags should be distributed on Saturdays.  If you need to do it on Friday or Sunday that is fine — please just limit yourself to reasonable daylight hours.

2. Scouts are encouraged to leave a bag at every private residence.
Note: Apartments with “No Solicitation” signs should only be covered with prior permission from the Manager (Stop and ask first at the office if it is okay). Bags are not to be left at businesses.

3. Do not put bags in mailboxes.

4. If you are working a stretch of rural road, then please consider placing
some small rocks in your bags ahead of time to weigh them down. You may
then place them on the ground next to a mailbox.

5. Please notify the SfF Chair if you do not receive a bag at your own house.
Each of you can serve as a “Spot Checker” to ensure than all our areas are
covered.

Bag Pick-up –
1. Bags should be picked-up between 9 AM and 3 PM on Saturday.

2. The collection sites open at 9 AM and close when units are no longer delivering goods to them.  This happens around 1 PM at the smaller locations and no later than 4 PM at the largest.

3. Please make a second sweep / drive by of your area in the early afternoon
to collect any bags that might have been missed, or put out late.

Extra Bags –
If you run short on bags, please contact the District Director, District Executive, or SfF Chair to see if extra bags are still in stock (they probably are). If you have over half a box left, then please email the SfF Chair so the district can allocate bags better next year.