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| Scouting for Food Since 1910, the ideals of Scouting have guided young men to perform "service to others and to the community." Responding to the plight of America's poor and hungry is a traditional Scouting "good turn." During World War I, Boy Scouts planted vegetable gardens to provide food for the hungry. President Roosevelt called on Scouts to collect food for the needy during the Great Depression. Planting Victory Gardens were the Scouting "good turns" organized during World War II. Today, Scouts continue their Good Turn efforts in community stewardship through Scouting for Food. Food Lifeline has estimated the gap between the total number of meals needed for low-income people in King County (185 percent of federal poverty level or below) to be food secure and the number of meals currently available. The Missing Meals report shows that 50.9 million more meals were needed in 2008 in King County to ensure that all low-income families and individuals have three nutritious meals a day. That means that another 137,000 meals are needed each day. .jpg)
Scouting for Food is the BSA's largest one-day food drive, raising 20 to 30 percent of area food pantries' yearly supply and feeding the hungry in the community for three months. This is a nation-wide campaign. Scouting for Food runs over the course of two weekends, and is launched on "Distribution Day" when Scouts distribute leaflets and door hangers through neibhgorhoods asking people to prepare donations. The Scouts then return to residences on the following week on "Collection Day" to retrieve donated non-perishable items. This year's donations from Pack 551's Scouting for Food collection will be brought by the Scouts to the Food Bank at Mt. Si. Within 48 hours of the Scouts' pick-up, the donations will be on pantry shelves ready to feed the needy. More than ever, our community needs help. By participating in Scouting for Food, you and your family can fight hunger at home. Over the last two years, Pack 551 has collected over 4,000 pounds in food and donations for area food banks. 
Click on the links below to learn more about our community and needs. Poverty and Hunger in WA State Economic Impact 
The Perfect Bag 
Question: With so many canned food options on the store shelves, how do I know what items are best to donate to food drives such as Scouting for Food?
Answer: After consulting with numerous food pantry directors and seeking nutrition advice from the American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide, we compiled what we like to call the "Perfect Bag." The Perfect Bag contains variety of nutrient-rich foods from all five food groups.
2 cans of hearty soup, stew or chili: Supplies many nutrients. 2 cans of tuna, chicken, salmon or luncheon meat (e.g., Spam): Contains protein and iron. Canned salmon is a source of calcium and omega-3 fatty acids. 1 can of fruit: Supplies vitamins A and C, folate, potassium, fiber and other healthy substances. 1 can of 100 percent pure fruit juice: Contains vitamin C and often beta carotene. 1 can of vegetables: Supplies beta carotene, vitamin C, folate, complex carbohydrates, fiber and potassium. 1 can of tomato or pasta sauce: Contains lycopene, a healthy substance that is more available to your body in canned and cooked tomatoes than in fresh. 1 canned meal: Offers a variety of ingredients and nutrients. 1 can of beans: Contains plenty of protein, complex carbohydrates and fiber . 1 can of evaporated milk: Makes an excellent source of calcium and protein.
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New Scouts!  Recruiting events for this month are: March Pack Night, 18 March (7pm) New Parent Orientation, 18 March (7:45pm - during Pack Night), Mead Elementary
Baloo's Bugle U.S. Scouting Service Project's monthly program helps and ideas
Cubcasts
Great ways to implement the August 2009 monthly theme, Fun in the Sun. Ray Alverson, the assistant council commissioner for Cub Scout roundtables in the Houston area, is the featured guest, and brings a wealth of tips and insights.
Explore ideas and strategies for effective fall Cub recruiting. Brian Skalski, Cubmaster for Pack 204 at the Jersey Shore Council, joins us to share the inside story on how the council improved its fall recruiting by leaps and bounds.
Summer’s here, and the time is right for athletic activities of all kinds. Explore July’s theme of “Be a Sport,” including tips on great ways to involve your den and pack in a variety of sports, as well as teaching Scouts the ways of good sportsmanship. | |
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