This article about Scouting For Food first appeared in the South Bend Tribune, November 8, 1988. Although more than ten years old, the words are still appropriate for Scouts, and for those who contribute to Scouting's current
food collections throughout the Nation.

"Reprinted with permission of South Bend Tribune, South Bend Indiana."

ON NOV. 12 Boy Scouts will be knocking on neighborhood doors throughout the Michiana area. The one who knocks on your door might wear the tan uniform of a Boy Scout, the blue of a Cub Scout or the orange of a first-grade Tiger Cub. If the uniform at your. door happens to be that of an Explorer, it might even be a girl who is a member of one of the local Posts. This Scout will hand you a bag from an area restaurant and ask your help to fight hunger in America. You will be participating in the biggest food drive in the history of Scouting, as Scouting units across the U.S. take part in a national good turn, officially named Scouting for Food. You will be asked to put food items you wish to contribute into the bag during the next week Scouts will return the following Saturday, Nov. 19, to collect the bags of food, which will be taken to a central collection point and distributed to area food pantries.

Participation of our local council the Northern Indiana Council of the Boy Scouts of America, was announced in The Tribune a few weeks ago. If history is any indication, the people of Michiana will respond to the efforts of our Scouts, not only with food contributions, but plenty of encouragement.

FOOD DRIVES ARE nothing new to local Scouting units. Some Packs, Troops and posts include food drives in their Scouting programs on an annual or semi-annual basis. The Scouts in my household have participated in such drives with Scouting units in both the Mishawaka and Granger areas. Their experiences, along with those of their fellow Scouts, show the normal response of area residents, when asked to help with such an effort, is to open both their hearts, and their kitchen cupboards.

Scouts swap stories of those who love. They tell of people who fill a grocery sack or box with food and then apologize for not giving enough. They remember with fondness those who give only one can of food, as well as those who have run down the street to catch up with a Scout and contribute one more thing."

They tell of the lady who asked one of the Scouts to "Please return before you stop for the day. I'll go through my cupboard in the meantime." He did. She had. He walked away from her home with two large boxes of food.

ADULT SCOUT Leaders hear such comments as, "Awesome! I asked for a can, of food. She gave me six,' or "This is neat Can we do it next week, too?"

Many a Scout parent has experienced a child so moved by the generosity of his community that he returned home ready to donate. his family's, entire food supply. Usually, such an event culminates with the parent adding a few extra items to the family donation and offering a silent "Thank you" for good role models in the neighborhood.

As they walk from door to door, the Scouts try to guess how many meals will be provided from the food collected. Since most of them eat breakfast before starting out and will go home to a hot meal when done, it is difficult for them to imagine how it feels to go to bed hungry. Scout Leaders try, in other ways, to help them understand the importance of what they are doing. When reciting the Scout oath for example, a Scout promises to help other people at all times...... It is the rare Leader, who does not identify a food drive to his Scouts as an occasion when they have a chance to fulfill that promise.

Scouts believe in giving something back to the community that nurtures them. Scouting teaches not just service, but "cheerful" service is necessary for good citizenship. You help Scouts understand this by your cooperation, your smiles, your generosity and your encouragement, which all demonstrate that service to others is not only good, but enjoyable and satisfying, as well.

SCOUTS REMEMBER what you say. Countless times I have been told about the man who said to one boy, "Thanks for allowing me to help." And another Scout will never forget the senior lady who handed him two cans of food, and with tears in her eyes said, "God bless you. I was hungry once, during the Depression.

"She cried, Dad," the Scout told his father when he returned to the car- He shook his head sadness and said, " ' It must be a terrible thing to be hungry."

Your contribution will help feed the hungry in our community. It may also provide a Scout with the opportunity to discover the goodness of his neighbors, to further develop his own sense of responsibility to humankind and to feel the satisfaction of just doing something nice for someone.

All food collected will remain in the Michiana area. This food drive is not, of course, the only food collecting that will take place throughout the coming holiday season. This is also not the only food collecting that will be done by the youth of our community. Schools, churches and numerous youth groups will have organized efforts of this type. Is this one necessary? Scouts would answer with a question of their own. Is anyone hungry?

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