In an effort to increase community participation in serving others, the Western Washington councils of the Boy Scouts of America are teaming up with local residents in the fight against hunger.

On Saturday, March 24th, Cub Scouts from the Ballard Pack 100 will be collecting non-perishable food donations for the Ballard Food Bank at local Safeway supermarkets.

Residents can drop off donations at the two collections sites: NW 85th St & 15th Ave. NW and NW Market St & 15th Ave NW.

Scouts will be collecting food between 9 a.m and 4 p.m.

All food donations will be given to the Ballard Food Bank to support local needy residents.

Through partnerships with more than 50 local food banks, the Scouting for Food drive provides more than 500,000 cans of food annually to needy families. This community service project is designed to help fill the shelves of neighborhood food banks at a time of year when needs are high and supplies are low.

“The concept of serving other people at all times, as stated in our Scout Oath, is something we emphasize with both the youth and adults in our programs,” said Sharon Moulds, Chief Seattle Council spokesperson. “Scouting for Food is meant to include everyone in the community; you don’t have to be a member of Scouting to help in the fight against hunger.”

It is estimated that nationally 50.2 million people including 17.2 million children live in homes that experience hunger: where meals are frequently skipped or who go without food for a whole day (U.S. Dept of Agriculture, Household Food Security in the United States, 2009). Through the combined efforts of local residents, neighborhood food banks and the Boy Scouts of America, hungry families will know that their community cares by providing meals for them to eat.