Mar 7, 2011
The Seneca Waterways Council (the parent organization of area Boy Scouts), the Girl Scouts of Western New York, and Goodwill of the Finger Lakes announce the 23rd annual Scouting for Food and Clothing collection drive. Scouts and other volunteers will drop off collection bags at area households on Saturday, March 19 for residents to fill with non-perishable food items and gently used clothing. The bags will be picked up the following Saturday, March 26.
Last year, more than 65 tons of food and 50 tons of clothing were collected and distributed in Monroe, Ontario and Wayne counties. Nearly 10,000 volunteers are involved in this annual collection drive.
“Scouting for Food and Clothing is a unique, collaborative effort and one of our area’s signature community service projects,” says Barbara James, the event’s chairperson. “The Scouts and everyone involved really enjoy it.”
Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on March 26, volunteers will collect and then take the donations to 14 distribution sites located throughout the area, where they will be sorted. Food items will be distributed to more than 80 local food cupboards and pantries. The donated clothing will be distributed throughout Goodwill’s nine local stores where revenues from the sale of these items will directly support programs and services that help thousands of local people each year overcome barriers to independence, including people who are blind or visually impaired.
“The increase in the number of people needing help, plus the harsh winter we’ve had, have put a strain on the stock available at the local food pantries. The non-perishable food donations we collect during Scouting for Food and Clothing will help to replenish their stock and help those in the most need in their communities,” added James.
“Donations are our lifeblood, and Scouting for Food and Clothing is the largest and single most successful donation collection event that Goodwill is a part of here in the Greater Rochester area,” says Shane Bertou, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes marketing manager. “Donations such as these support the mission-focused work we do.” Goodwill has been involved in the program for the last eight years.
Community members who are unable to take part in the bag collection on March 26, can still drop off their filled bags at Scouting for Food and Clothing collection bins located in the nine Goodwill stores and at all Rochester-area Wendy’s locations between Sunday, March 27 and Sunday, April 3, 2011.
Media Contact:
Todd Pipitone, APR
Public Relations Manager
Goodwill of the FInger Lakes
585.327.5595