This is a nationwide food drive begun by the Boy Scouts in 1988, said Jane Mountain, mother of a local Boy Scout and local drive coordinator for three years. As part of their credo of being of service to others and to the community, the drive was started to address one of several “national unacceptable situations” identified by Boy Scouts of America: hunger, child abuse, drug abuse, illiteracy and unemployment.
That first year, 1 million Scouts brought in an estimated 65 million cans of nonperishable food, and the drive continues as the centenary of Boy Scouting approaches in 2010.
 Adult Coastside Hope workers pose with Scouts, from left, Steve Jacobson and his twin brother, Chris, both 13, at the first food pickup in 2008. Photo courtesy Jane Mountain |
On doorknobs starting Nov. 14, Coastsiders will find the 4-by-10-inch paper hangers, colored red, white and blue, and filled with information on how to participate.
Nonperishable foods suitable for the drive include canned foods: tuna, chicken, fruits, vegetables, soup, chili, spaghetti, ravioli, and also peanut butter, cereal, Pop-Tarts, crackers, cookies, and rice, beans, pasta, powdered rice or milk, snack bars or dried fruits.
Open or glass containers are discouraged.
The food should be placed in bags or boxes and set out for pickup by 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, by the door or somewhere nearby where it is visible, and identified by the hanger.
The Scouts receive community service hours for participating in the drive, which carries out their tradition of feeding those in need. During World War I, Boy Scouts planted vegetable gardens, President Roosevelt called on Scouts to collect food for the needy during the Great Depression, and Scouts organized the planting of Victory Gardens following World War II.
For information on the local drive, call Mountain at 726-4887.
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