Texarkana, Texas | The Caddo Area Council Boy Scouts of America will team up with McDonald’s, International Paper and the local media on November 15, 2014 for the Scouting for Food and Books drive. This effort will help those in need by collecting food for local food service agencies and literacy campaigns.
This year marks the 27th year for the local Scouting for Food and Books drive and the scouts have collected more than one million cans! International Paper has supplied the Boy Scouts over 27,000 recycled bags in which to gather donations of canned and dried foods.
McDonald’s restaurants are providing boxes in which to store donated goods in order to help facilitate the event. McDonald’s will serve as local collection points for Scouts in the area and for residents who would like to make a contribution but do not put their bag out when Scouts are collecting door to door.
The Scouts are also receiving support from the Texarkana Gazette, Mayflower Transit, Townsquare Media, Pods, the Liberty Eylau Key Club, the Jack and Jill Club and the United Way of Greater Texarkana.
“McDonald’s is proud to support the food and books drive,” said McDonald’s Owner/Operator Jason Sadowski. “We understand how important the event is to provide food for those less fortunate. We look forward to participating and helping out in the community.”
Scouts distributed bags to residents on November 8. Residents are asked to place donated goods and books in the bag and leave them in a visible area at their front door by 10:00 A.M. on Saturday morning, November 15. The Scouts will begin collecting bags at 10 am. If bags are not picked up, please deliver them to your local McDonald’s restaurant from November 16 to 19.
Scouting for Food and Books will cover a ten-county area including Bowie and Cass counties in Texas and Miller, Lafayette, Nevada, Hempstead, Howard, Sevier, Little River and Polk in Arkansas.
“This is our 27th year for the council-wide good turn.” Guy Wilemon said, Scout Executive and CEO of the Caddo Area Council Boy Scouts of America. “As always all food and books collected in each community stays there to help with local needs.”
“Our goal for this year is to collect over 60,000 pounds of food. I am confident this year’s collection will make a significant impact on those counting on us. In Texarkana, the collected food will be channeled through local food service agencies, including the Friendship Center, Harvest Texarkana, Waterspring’s Ranch, the Salvation Army and Domestic Violence Prevention.”
For additional information about the local “Scouting for Food and Books” drive, contact Bob Pearcy at 903.793.2179.
