Scouts Comb Neighborhoods For Food

Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from throughout the Jackson Hole area will be fanning out Saturday morning to collect bags of donated food from the doorsteps of area homes and assist in restocking the local food pantry.  That collection begins at 9:00 am.  Jackson Scout District Chairman Cliff Kirkpatrick says it is a daunting task that takes place each year at this time, and not only serves as a great community service, but teaches the young men the reason behind the scout oath that promises to help other people at all times.  Kirkpatrick explains that as the young people are involved in Scouting, one of the things it is hoped they learn is community involvement.  This is one way, he says that they can work toward giving back to the community.  Says Kirkpatrick, “The community providing the food that they come around and collect is integral to that part too, but it really does help them get a sense for what it means to be community-minded.”  Besides collecting the food, the scouts and their leaders then rally at the pantry to sort the food and stock the shelves.  Kirkpatrick says this helps the Jackson pantry with their food needs for only about a month and a half to two months.  In the past, he says, it lasted a little longer; but the needs in the community are much greater now.  Consequently, Kirkpatrick urges the community to be generous with their donations of food – and if the scouts happen to miss their homes, to drop food items into collection sites at the local grocery stores which the scouts will be maintaining for the next week or two.