Sioux Falls Boys Scouts Go Scouting for Food and Sight

Did you recently find a plastic bag hanging on your front door? Me too.

No it isn't for picking up after the dog or using as a waste basket liner. This one is to fill up with supplies to be distributed by our Boy Scouts.

Hundreds of Scouts have been hanging bags on doors for the annual Scouting for Food and Sight drive. The Sioux Council Boy Scouts of America is teaming up with local organizations, businesses and communities to collect non-perishable food items and used eye-glasses for local pantries and Lions clubs.

The Boy Scouts ask that you leave your donations on your doorstep by 9 a.m. on Saturday Oct. 24 for the Scouts to pick up.

Last year, the Boy Scouts collected 14,000 lbs. of food in Sioux Falls alone. This provides a huge boost to the local pantries but also benefits the Scouts, according to Senior District Executive Matthew Ohs.

“Scouts get to serve their community and help provide food to those less fortunate and who need it,” Ohs said. “It’s a day of giving back to the community.”

This year, Scouting for Food and Sight and the Sioux Council Boy Scouts of America is partnering with Helpline 211, Feeding South Dakota, the Lions Club and the Argus Leader for Make a Difference Day. Helpline 211 has a number of volunteer opportunities, including sorting the thousands of pounds of food the Scouts collect and packing boxes of food to send to seniors in the Sioux Falls area.

If your house is missed, but you still wish to donate, donations can be taken on Oct. 24 to the local pantry or to the food pantry trucks at one of the following Hy-Vees: 26th and Marion, 12th and Kiwanis, 57th and Cliff, 10th St. and Cleveland.

For more information, contact Matthew Ohs at Matthew.Ohs@Scouting.org or 605-323-0740.