Sat., February 21, 39 Cub Scout Packs and 32 Boy Scouts Troops of the North Trail District spread out across North Dallas, the Park Cities, Preston Hollow, Lake Highlands, and Richardson, picking up yellow Scouting for Food bags filled with non-perishable food items.  This local effort was a part of the 22^nd annual national Boy Scout food collection drive.

“The North Trail total for Saturday’s effort was 43,100 food items,” said Don Birdsong, Richardson Pack 516 Cubmaster and district food-drive coordinator.  “Today, more people are going hungry in this country than at any other time in the past 25 years,” he said.  “The Boy Scout slogan is, ‘Do a good turn daily.’  By participating in this drive, Scouts, family members, and adult volunteers live the slogan and give back to our communities.” 

Youth and adults distributed the bags on Sat., February 14.  A week later, they retraced their steps, picking up filled bags placed on door steps.  Collected bags contained canned vegetables, soups, juices, meats, and baby formulas as well as boxed helper meals and pastas.

Among Richardson Boy Scout Troops that sorted and counted donated items were:

·        Troop 86, All Saints Catholic Church

·        Troop 317, Greenwood Hills Elementary School

·        Troop 751, First United Methodist Church of Richardson

·        Troop 895, Waterview Church of Christ

·        Troop 1077, Brentfield Elementary School

·        Troop 1191, Jess Harben Elementary School

North Trail final collection points were Network Ministries, Richardson; Tom Thumb Food and Pharmacy, Campbell at Coit, and Tom Thumb Food and Pharmacy, Skillman at Audelia.  The Network Ministries received more than 15,000 lbs. of food items.  Items collected at Tom Thumb stores were donated to the Salvation Army.

North Trail District is one 19 districts in Circle Ten Council, Boy Scouts of America.  “This year’s Council goal was 500,000 items,” said Ponce Duran, Scout executive, Circle Ten Council.  “Our success was generously supported by our corporate sponsors, Tom Thumb Food and Pharmacy, The Dallas Morning News, and WFAA-TV/Channel 8,” he added.  “Tom Thumb, a partner for each of the 22 annual drives, will accept food donations at their stores throughout the month of February.”

In 2010, the American Boy Scout movement will celebrate its 100^th anniversary.  “Next year, the Council's goal will again be 500,000 items.  With that, Circle Ten will celebrate the 100^th anniversary having collected more 10 million food items in 23 drives,” said Mr. Duran.  “Even in this challenging economic environment, I am confident we can attain that worthy goal.”

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Authors

Scout adult volunteers Greg Fowler of Lake Highlands and Alan Edwards of Richardson are among those who report on Cub Scout and Boy Scout activities for the North Trail District, which includes Richardson.