Greg DeSaulniers, chairman

Scouting for Food

Marshall, Tama and Hardin Counties

Mid-Iowa Council

Boy Scouts of America

For the last 27 years the Boy Scouts of America have conducted a community service project here in central Iowa called Scouting for Food. This activity helps stock local food pantries with much needed non-perishable items to distribute to those in need. Each year that we, the Boy Scouts, have done this, I am always amazed at the generosity of those who donate food, to help those less fortunate. This year was no exception. There were more than 6,000 items donated here in Marshalltown, and more than 7,000 items donated in the three central Iowa counties of Marshall, Tama and Hardin.

I want to extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone who was able to donate food and make this another successful endeavor. A project of this size takes a lot of people who are dedicated to making it all come together. Thank you to Tom McCoy and his staff for all of their help, Ric Anderson and our local Hy-Vee for their donation of the Post-it-note stickers, and allowing the scouts to distribute informational flyers in the store to help promote this activity. Thank you to Zachary Tomesch, Prairie Winds district executive and all the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and their adult leaders for taking time out of their busy schedules to distribute stickers and pick up the food donations. Thank you to the Marshalltown Times-Republican and our local radio stations for the media coverage you provided. Thank you to the staff of volunteers at the Emergency Food Box who work tirelessly each year sorting, boxing, trucking and stocking the donated food. Without all of your help this project would not be possible. Thank you.