Boy Scout Troop 220 aids KP food bank

Hugh McMillan

Earlier this month, members of Boy Scout Troop 220 gathered of gifted food items during their annual Scouting For Food project to benefit the Key Peninsula Community Services. Photo courtesy of Shirley Crane

This years “Scouting For Food Drive” by Boy Scout Troop 220 collected 2,000 pieces of food which it donated to the Key Peninsula Community Services Food bank earlier this month.

“We had 29 scouts and 20 parent volunteers participate in the week-long event,” said Troop 220 parent volunteer, Shirley Crane.

The Scouts delivered some 1,000 plastic food bags on Nov. 3, to Lake Holiday, Lake Minterwood, Lake Of The Woods, GreenTree, Horseshoe Lake Estates, Emerald Shores, Bel-Mar, and Wind & Tide and returned on Saturday, Nov. 9, to collect the donations from the generous people in these enclaves.

“By noon, we had delivered the whole collection to very grateful KPCS Food Bank personnel,"Crane said.

Key Peninsula Community Services Executive Director Penny Gazabat said the event was “a Godsend.”

“We were really quite low in supplies for our clients, and are most grateful for the help. Things are quite tough right now and any donations of non-perishable items would be most appreciated. We are really proud of the Boy Scouts for all their help,” she added.

The Scouts learned much while doing their good deeds.

“The Home Food Bank is a great organization that provides food for those who may not be able to afford it, and it makes me happy to be a part of it,” said Daniel Shurr.

Scout Ryan Barry, a senior, said that he has participated in the Scouting For Food Drive every year he’s in scouting and, it is something he will miss dearly miss.

“This was my first year participating in Scouting For Food and it has been a very heart warming experience," said Scout Ben Goins.

Scout Sammy O'Hara has been doing Scouting For Food for three years. “It makes me feel good to know that I am able to help give people food that they may not be able to get on their own,” he said.

As part of its by-weekly contribution, Troop 220's sponsoring Key Peninsula Lions Club added an additional 46 items while praising the caring hard work of the Boy Scout Troop it so proudly sponsors.

For information on BSA Troop 220's food drive, call Shirley Crane at 884-1057.

For information on the KP Community Services Food Bank, call 884-4440.