50 Boy Scout Troops from Benjamin Tallmadge District Work Together to Raise 1500 Bags of Food to Help Suffolk County’s Food Pantries
 
(Long Island, N.Y.) The Scouting rule, “to do a good turn” was in full swing as 50 Boy Scout Units in Suffolk County’s Benjamin Tallmadge District sprung into action during March’s “Scouting for Food” month. 
 
With food pantry inventories across Long Island at extremely low levels, the Boy Scouts became creative in their efforts to generate donations.  Troop 454 in Terryville/Port Jefferson Station was steadfast in their efforts.  With the help of King Kullen, the local supermarket chain which donated a 32″ flat screen television, the boys exchanged raffle tickets for a non-perishable food donation or a .50 donation for a ticket.  All monies collected were used to purchase more food for the pantries.  Troop 454′s efforts collected enough food to pack two vans and a Suburban SUV.  “The boys from Troop 454 really stepped up to help families in need.  We achieved a food collection well above and beyond our own expectations”, said Al Hesse, Scoutmaster of Troop 454. 
 
The efforts of all the units collected 1500 bags of food, which was distributed to 11 Long Island Food Pantries and helped feed Long Island’s hungry.  The food pantries across Long and have been extremely stressed during these tough economic times. With an increase of 25-40% of Long Islanders turning to local food pantries and soup kitchens, the Scout’s assistance comes fervently appreciated.
 
The time and fundraising of the Scouts shows how, with a little effort, anybody can fulfill the Boy Scout promise, “to help other people at all times.”  It serves to remind us that it is up to all of us to do our part to help our fellow Long Islanders who have run into tough times to “get back on their feet.”  
 
For more information on the Boy Scouts, please visit http://www.scouting.org or http://www.btdistrict.org/ for the Benjamin Talmadge District.

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