LAYTON—More than 400 scouts were mobilized last Saturday to collect food for the 37th annual Scouting for Food drive to fill pantry shelves for those in need. Scout troops, leaders, the National Guard and local sponsors gathered at the Layton High School Food Pantry to kick off the drive that runs through March 3.

“We hold this food drive at this time of the year in partnership with the Souper Bowl of Caring which is a statewide program that works to fight hunger,” said Ben Taylor, Crossroads of the West Scout Council Board Member. “Over the next few weeks we are asking the public to help us fill our state’s pantries with nutritious, non-perishable canned and boxed foods by dropping them off at donation sites across the state. The food will then be delivered to food pantries and food banks statewide.”

Scouts were at 53 Smith’s stores statewide last week asking customers to buy a little extra food and drop it off at the scout booth as they left, then the Utah National Guard picked it up to deliver to food banks and pantries, he said. “We’re very grateful to Smith’s and the Utah National Guard for the invaluable role they played in Scouting for Food day. There is no other organization in the state that has the manpower, equipment and ability to pick up hundreds of pounds of food donated at the grocery stores.”

The scouts are doing a great service, said Tina Murray, Smith’s Food & Drug Corporate Affairs Manager. “This not only helps families with their physical needs, it takes care of their emotional well being. One in seven people struggle to find their next meal. We need to tackle hunger head on.”

“The Utah National Guard is committed to Scouting for Food because these efforts help to unite our communities in the fight against hunger,” said Brigadier General Kurt Davis. “Food is such a basic need that if it is not met it all falls apart. It’s great to see the youth involved in this service project.” 

Bank of Utah prides itself on being a community bank, said Senior Vice President Roger Christensen. “We know food pantries’ shelves are low this year and so donations are more vital and needed. We’re inviting our customers and friends in our communities to get behind Scouting for Food. We urge them to collect food at their businesses and in their neighborhoods and to bring their donations to drop off sites during regular business hours at the 20 Utah Bank of Utah locations.”

Other corporate sponsors include Arctic Circle, Red Hanger and Young Automotive. “These three food drive partners will be distributing thousands of donation bags through their drive-thru windows and at counters inside their 73 combined locations,” he said. “We are asking the public to fill the collection bins at these locations from Logan to St. George between Feb. 11 and March 3.” 

The scout motto is “Do a good turn daily,” he said. “This is the best of America. If you make a difference in the community you make a difference in the world.”

 The COVID-19 pandemic and current economic situations have brought many hardships on families in the community and across the state, said Lisa Glassey, Davis School District Family Advocate and Teen Center/Food Pantry Manager. “This center opened in the fall of 2022. We have 180 kids come in a week, 30 to 40 come in a day with hunger being the biggest problem. Our need for food has doubled since last year.”

Drop off locations can be found on utahscouts.org/scoutingforfood. In addition: 

• Red Hanger will be giving out a coupon for a free shirt cleaning to anyone dropping off a bag of food to any location through March 3.

• Arctic Circle is providing a meal coupon for every scout participating in the food drive.

“Let’s all get behind Scouting for Food,” said Taylor. “Let’s give our food banks and pantries a leg up so that we can keep up with the demand for food assistance this year and ultimately make sure Utah’s kids and families don’t go hungry.”