Scouts, Scouters, Families and Friends,

THANK YOU, everyone who participated in Scouting for Food this year!Scouts, family and friends from Troop 15, Pack 176, Venture Crew 90, and - new this year - Venture Crew 191 distributed thousands of bags, and picked up, sorted, bagged and delivered tons of donations. The people of Mount Laurel were very generous again! Here are this year's stats:

8,220 items distributed (give or take a few dozen!), of which:

2150 went to the New Covenant Presbyterian Church food pantry and associated organizations;

2550 went to Jacob's Chapel AME Church;

3400 went to Catholic Charities' Burlington County Pantry;

120 went to other organizations.

Also, here are some fun facts, courtesy of Emilie R.:

Most entertaining donation: Tie between a bag of crayons and a jump rope.

Most creative: A handmade horse head chocolate lolly pop tied with a pink ribbon.

Oldest expiration date: 1994.

Most gross: Wispride cheese from 2010 liquid and moldy-blech!

This year's operation went smoother than ever. We'd like to recognize and thank the following people for taking the initiative and improving the way we do Scouting for Food:

Emilie R, for initiating, and once again leading, our excellent waste reduction effort;

Matt E, for good ideas, Church setup/cleanup, and being Sorter-in-Chief;

Stacy K, for directing traffic and checking people in;

Jacki S and Sandi B, for taking pictures and carefully counting bags;

Eileen M, for securing permission to operate in Laurel Creek, and disposing of plastic bags;

Special thanks also to:

Bonnie E, for making new signs;

Ed and Barbara B, Pastor K and other members of the Church, for making us welcome and pitching in;

Paul H and Rob R, for transporting food to Jacob's Chapel;

Christine R, for help along the way.

8200+ items of food will help a lot of people, and that's especially important in these troubled economic times. Whatever your contribution to Scouting for Food this year, know that you've done a very Good Turn indeed.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving,
Gary E Troop 15
Scouting for Food Guy