Scouts to collect nonperishable food for pantries

Area Scouts will go door to door collecting food on Saturday as part of the annual Scouting for Food project.

People wishing to donate nonperishable food items are asked to leave the food outside their door by 9 a.m. in the grocery bags delivered with the Freeborn County Shopper this week. Scouts will collect the food in Albert Lea, Glenville, Emmons, Twin Lakes and Hayward, said Gina Wadding, chairwoman of the local program.

Scouting for Food began across the nation in the 1980s, when Scouts collected an estimated 65 million cans of nonperishable food. It has since grown into an annual event.

In 2014, area Scouts collected 4,430 pounds of food and $825 in cash. Wadding said the goal this year is to surpass those numbers. All donations go to support the Albert Lea Salvation Army and the Ecumenical Food Pantry.

The donations come during what is Minnesota FoodShare’s March campaign.

“This is really maximizing the time to give for March,” Wadding said. Based on donations given this month, pantries can receive a partial grant match that will allow an increase in buying power with the Channel One Food Bank.

Items especially needed are paper goods, toiletry items, macaroni noodles, cooking oil, crackers, cake mixes and cookies, boxed meals, canned goods, Jello and pudding mixes, and juice and drink mixes, according to a news release.

Boxes and containers should not be opened and should not contain outdated or damaged packaging.

Scouts will also be at Hy-Vee on Saturday, as people that day will be able to buy pre-bagged groceries to donate to the cause.

Wadding said for any donations not picked up by noon, people can call her at 383-2493.

Anyone interested in volunteering can meet at the First Presbyterian Church at 8:30 a.m.