The Piedmont Scout Council’s 40th annual Scouting for Food event in support of The Alameda County Community Food Bank was a resounding success by all accounts. The effort raised $13,000 in monetary gifts and an estimated 10,000 pounds of collected food items.
“Historically we’ve roughly filled four bins and eight barrels, which equates to about 7,600 pounds. This year we filled six bins and nine barrels, so I’d estimate approximately 10,000 pounds,” said Eris Turner, district executive for the Piedmont Council.
Turner estimates that around 100 Piedmont Scouts participated in the event. He said about two dozen Cub Scouts placed hangers on doors across Piedmont on Oct. 26 and about 75 youth from all five of Piedmont’s Scout Troops and Piedmont Community Service Crew collected and sorted the donations on Nov. 2.
One of every five Alameda County residents rely on ACCFB for assistance; two-thirds of those are children and the elderly. Every $1 donated through this virtual food drive becomes 2 meals for children, adults, and seniors in our community.
Scouting for Food Chair Anne Hauss Davies has overseen the event for Piedmont for the last three years. She says she is humbled by the mission of ACCFB and how large the need is for food in this community. However, she says the best part of the job is the gratification in seeing Scouts committed to gathering food and spreading joy in the process.
“Every year I have a moment where I worry a little that no one will show up. But, this is Piedmont and Piedmont Scouting — and they always show up in a big way,” says Hauss Davies. “My heart is full as I watch friends and neighbors and even strangers pitch in for the greater good.”
“I love Scouting because of events like this that give our youth the opportunity to gain skills in a deep and meaningful way. For the rest of us, we get the chance to find other like-minded individuals wanting to give back,” adds Hauss Davies.
Although Piedmont Council’s in-person food collection has ended, there is still time for monetary donations to the ACCFB through the virtual food drive HERE until Nov. 30.
Scouting programs serve youth Kindergarten through age 21, and their families. Cub Scouts is for youth K-5th grade; Scouts BSA serves youth 11-18 years old; and Venturing and Exploring serve youth 14-21 years old. The aims of scouting across all programs are character, fitness, citizenship, and leadership skills; outdoor adventure, service, and adult mentoring are important parts of how that happens.
Interested in learning more? Reach out to the council office at contact@piedmontbsa.org