NationStates Jolt Archive

This Saturday, my Cub Scout Den will be distributing bags to residences with a request to donate non perishable food items, to be collected the following Saturday. We are expected to distribute 1,000 bags, but I took 2,000 with expectations of doing better than they did last year when I wasnt involved.
I dont know yet if this is the time for nationwide "Souting for Food" or if its just our district.
My next goal is to instill in my boys that people arent just in need at the holiday season or at time of a disaster. I want them to know they can be charitable year round. Our next project is to make food receptacles that will be placed monthly at various locations to collect food year round. Six libraries in the area have already agreed to let us place them there. I'm hoping this gains momentum.

I hear from the cub scout next door that our bags will be passed out next weekend here. He went around after school yesterday letting people know so that they could pick up extra food when they went shopping.


I would like to remind people that when you donate canned goods, try to donate something you would like to eat. I helped out with a food drive a few years ago and all we got was creamed corn and salmon. Just because people are hungry doesn't mean they don't deserve good food too.

Macaroni and Cheese, Peanut butter, tuna fish, canned chicken, beans, chili, ect. goes over very well. Think about if you were in that situation, how much it would mean to have something you liked to eat.

I hear from the cub scout next door that our bags will be passed out next weekend here. He went around after school yesterday letting people know so that they could pick up extra food when they went shopping.


I would like to remind people that when you donate canned goods, try to donate something you would like to eat. I helped out with a food drive a few years ago and all we got was creamed corn and salmon. Just because people are hungry doesn't mean they don't deserve good food too.

Macaroni and Cheese, Peanut butter, tuna fish, canned chicken, beans, chili, ect. goes over very well. Think about if you were in that situation, how much it would mean to have something you liked to eat.
I actually quite like salmon.

I actually quite like salmon.
canned?

I hear from the cub scout next door that our bags will be passed out next weekend here. He went around after school yesterday letting people know so that they could pick up extra food when they went shopping.


I would like to remind people that when you donate canned goods, try to donate something you would like to eat. I helped out with a food drive a few years ago and all we got was creamed corn and salmon. Just because people are hungry doesn't mean they don't deserve good food too.

Macaroni and Cheese, Peanut butter, tuna fish, canned chicken, beans, chili, ect. goes over very well. Think about if you were in that situation, how much it would mean to have something you liked to eat.

Good points, thank you.

Also-dont clean out your pantry and "donate" items that are past expiration dates. This, to me, is worse than not donating at all.

I plan on knocking on some doors as we distribute the bags. It might inspire people to actually follow through if they have a face to go on. The week will go quick and even the well intended may forget to add a few items to the bag.
I'm optimistic.

Good points, thank you.

Also-dont clean out your pantry and "donate" items that are past expiration dates. This, to me, is worse than not donating at all.

I plan on knocking on some doors as we distribute the bags. It might inspire people to actually follow through if they have a face to go on. The week will go quick and even the well intended may forget to add a few items to the bag.
I'm optimistic.

The den I run is doing the same thing.

The town I live in has a small-town feel, so I think that helps. I've heard that if you're in a less friendly neighborhood (one of the suburban sea of townhouses developments), you can get next to nothing in the bags.

I know almost everyone in my neighborhood. That really helps. We put flyers out beforehand, then distribute the bags, and pick them up a few days later (we were told not to wait a week, as people forget about it).

I hear from the cub scout next door that our bags will be passed out next weekend here. He went around after school yesterday letting people know so that they could pick up extra food when they went shopping.


I would like to remind people that when you donate canned goods, try to donate something you would like to eat. I helped out with a food drive a few years ago and all we got was creamed corn and salmon. Just because people are hungry doesn't mean they don't deserve good food too.

Macaroni and Cheese, Peanut butter, tuna fish, canned chicken, beans, chili, ect. goes over very well. Think about if you were in that situation, how much it would mean to have something you liked to eat.

If they are that hungry would they not eat whatever they got.

The den I run is doing the same thing.

The town I live in has a small-town feel, so I think that helps. I've heard that if you're in a less friendly neighborhood (one of the suburban sea of townhouses developments), you can get next to nothing in the bags.

I know almost everyone in my neighborhood. That really helps. We put flyers out beforehand, then distribute the bags, and pick them up a few days later (we were told not to wait a week, as people forget about it).

Ok-so I guess it is a scout wide thing right now. This is my first year,so I didnt know if it was just our district.

I'm pretty familiar with my neigborhood too, as well as the block that runs parralell to us. Its fairly even upper middle class and if the halloween candy was any indication, I expect to get a pretty good response.
The flyers they gave me are to be put into the bags, which I volunteered to do. I couldnt see 7 yr old boys doing it outside on Saturday morning. I may have bitten off more than I can chew, but I'll get it done before then. I just found out my oldest son, whom isnt a scout, can earn hours of community service towards his confirmation for helping. So, he is in on it too now.

Ok-so I guess it is a scout wide thing right now. This is my first year,so I didnt know if it was just our district.

I'm pretty familiar with my neigborhood too, as well as the block that runs parralell to us. Its fairly even upper middle class and if the halloween candy was any indication, I expect to get a pretty good response.
The flyers they gave me are to be put into the bags, which I volunteered to do. I couldnt see 7 yr old boys doing it outside on Saturday morning. I may have bitten off more than I can chew, but I'll get it done before then. I just found out my oldest son, whom isnt a scout, can earn hours of community service towards his confirmation for helping. So, he is in on it too now.

Scoutwide as far as I know.

I pile the boys into the Hummer and we drive around "on a mission".

We had a lot of fun last year doing it, even though the day of the pick-up was cold and windy.

If they are that hungry would they not eat whatever they got.


I think the idea is more like donating more ordinary food and not giving people unwanted left-overs.
The chance to retain some dignity is a imprtant as a meal to a lot of people.

We arent talking about tsunami survivors desperate for anything edible. We are talking about average people in a bad spot that are struggling to feed their kids. This food goes to a food bank in our area that distributes amongst the community. It isnt going to the Red Cross to be sent somewhere else.
It also supports county soup kitchens.

Scoutwide as far as I know.

I pile the boys into the Hummer and we drive around "on a mission".

We had a lot of fun last year doing it, even though the day of the pick-up was cold and windy.


I'm looking foward to this being fun too-and a sense of accomplishment doing something really good.

My brother is offering use of his truck and a 20 ft enclosed trailer we usually haul Harleys in, to deliver the food if its more than can fit in cars and mini vans. He also brought bags to his company. The more people you tell about it, the more want to get involved. Most people want to do good things like this and just need you to facilitate them.

If they are that hungry would they not eat whatever they got.
sure, but I like to put myself in someone elses shoes, if all I could bring home for my family was donated food, I would at least feel better if they had a few things they would like.

It's like I said, I helped with a food drive once and we were putting baskets together for families, we ended up having to go to the store and buy stuff to put in them.

If you are hungry you will always be happy to get food, but wouldn't you be happier with some variety than with 30 cans of creamed corn?

I chair a tech community food drive every November for a local food bank.

Like you, we try to encourage people to provide a variety of goods - in fact, we supply a list of suggested donations to each work site, with "always wanted" donations emphasized.

The "always wanted" list includes:

• Peanut Butter
• Canned Fish
• Canned Meats
• Pasta
• Rice
• Baby Food
• Infant Formula
• Disposable Diapers
• Powdered and Canned Milk
• Canned or Dried Fruit
• Dried Peas and Beans
• Canned Vegetables
• Soap Bars
• Shampoo and Conditioner
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Dish and Laundry Soap
• Toilet Paper

I have found that most donors really appreciate and respond to these suggestions. Perhaps you could include a pamphlet with this sort of information with the bags?

Edit: Some of our donors say they like to plan menus, and buy according to those menus. They say they feel better knowing they've donated the ingredients to real meals.

I chair a tech community food drive every November for a local food bank.

Like you, we try to encourage people to provide a variety of goods - in fact, we supply a list of suggested donations to each work site, with "always wanted" donations emphasized.

The "always wanted" list includes:

• Peanut Butter
• Canned Fish
• Canned Meats
• Pasta
• Rice
• Baby Food
• Infant Formula
• Disposable Diapers
• Powdered and Canned Milk
• Canned or Dried Fruit
• Dried Peas and Beans
• Canned Vegetables
• Soap Bars
• Shampoo and Conditioner
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Dish and Laundry Soap
• Toilet Paper

I have found that most donors really appreciate and respond to these suggestions. Perhaps you could include a pamphlet with this sort of information with the bags?

Edit: Some of our donors say they like to plan menus, and buy according to those menus. They say they feel better knowing they've donated the ingredients to real meals.


Yes, we put the list of items we're looking for on a flyer. We also say what we don't want - the out of date stuff you just found in the back of the closet, etc.

I chair a tech community food drive every November for a local food bank.

Like you, we try to encourage people to provide a variety of goods - in fact, we supply a list of suggested donations to each work site, with "always wanted" donations emphasized.

The "always wanted" list includes:

• Peanut Butter
• Canned Fish
• Canned Meats
• Pasta
• Rice
• Baby Food
• Infant Formula
• Disposable Diapers
• Powdered and Canned Milk
• Canned or Dried Fruit
• Dried Peas and Beans
• Canned Vegetables
• Soap Bars
• Shampoo and Conditioner
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Dish and Laundry Soap
• Toilet Paper

I have found that most donors really appreciate and respond to these suggestions. Perhaps you could include a pamphlet with this sort of information with the bags?

Edit: Some of our donors say they like to plan menus, and buy according to those menus. They say they feel better knowing they've donated the ingredients to real meals.

Yes-Thank you for listing some specifics.
Your list is nearly word for word from the flyers I am putting into each bag.
The suggestions and support are greatly appreciated.