Omaha-area Boy Scouts conduct annual 'Scouting For Food' collection
Each year, Scouting For Food helps support Food Bank for the Heartland as Omaha-area Boy Scouts collect thousands of donations to feed hungry families within the community.
"The increasing demand for food assistance coupled with the rising cost of food. Inflation continues to be a factor," Shawna Forsberg, president and CEO of United Way of the Midlands, said.
Scouts hitting neighborhoods across Nebraska and western Iowa, with hopes of putting a meal on the table for those in need.
"They're nonperishable meals, cans and boxes," Duncan Murphy, Food Bank for the Heartland board member, said.
It's one of the largest food drives directly benefiting Food Bank for the Heartland.
"There'll be 600,000 households helped in this current fiscal year and it translates to almost 30 million meals," Murphy said.
So, each year, local Boy Scouts collect over 200,000 pounds of food. It impacts the 1 in 11 people who wonder where their next meal will come from.
"It's also a wonderful opportunity to turn our kids into philanthropists, it gives them an opportunity to give back and make a difference," Brian Barks, president and CEO of Food Bank for the Heartland, said.
Relying on community partners like United Way of the Midlands to spread the word for those requesting help.
"Requests for food support from the 211 helpline also increased by nearly 15%," Forsberg said.
Scouts spent the past week going door to door, passing out stickers. Now, this weekend, they'll head back out to pick up bags filled with food from those who choose to donate.
"Scouts get up early and they get out early. So if you will leave your nonperishable food items on your front porch or front step or on the sidewalk before 8 a.m.," Chris Mehaffey, scout executive for the Mid-America Council of Boy Scouts of America.
Those get loaded up and placed on trucks. You can also head to your local Baker's grocery store to find the barrels and drop off donations.
"We're very fortunate to be able to continue this nationwide Scouting For Food drive," Mehaffey said.