Heather Bell
RADFORD – Scouts from Radford Cub Scout Pack 46 and Boy Scout Troop 46 recently filled the shelves of Old Brick Church’s food pantry thanks to their volunteer efforts in a community food drive.
John Henderson, who serves as both Scoutmaster for Troop 46 and the Cubmaster for Pack 46, says Pack 46 has done several food drives, but this is the first year they asked the community for donations.
“Normally, we collect food from families in the pack,” he said.
Henderson said Troop 46 was restarted this year after being shut down for many years, and Boy Scouts of America has an annual food drive called Scouting for Food, “so we wanted to get this started in our community this year. We plan to continue this tradition each year moving forward now.”
Approximately 10 scouts participated in the food drive as volunteers, plus others who donated food.
“We spent about 3 ½ hours one Saturday hanging flyers on doors in the community asking for donations, and then we set up a table outside of Kroger the following Saturday for four hours collecting food donations,” said Henderson. “Then, finally, we collected food from people’s porches for the food drive. So, in all, these scouts spent three weekends working on this drive.”
Four carloads of food were collected in the drive and was donated to the food pantry at Old Brick Church. Last year, the scouts collected food for the nursing home.
Henderson said community projects are important to the development of scouts.
“There are three points to the Scout Oath that all of our scouts pledge each week: Duty to God and Country, Obey the Scout Law, and Help other People,” he said. “So, as scouts, we are always looking for ways to help our community. Pack 46 participates in the Adopt-a-Spot in Radford, we have helped in various cleanups around town, and other service projects, so this is another part of that. Having food is one of the most basic needs a person can have, so when we are able to help provide food for our neighbors in need, it is important that we help out.”
“Scouts is a program that teaches kids about leadership and values through outdoor activities, STEM, and other fun activities,” he continued. “What has amazed me the most is just how much joy the kids get out of helping others. These kids always have a positive attitude, even when picking up trash or walking for miles through Radford hanging up flyers.”
