For the Rapids City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Boy Scouts of America, Samoset Council is partnering with local residents to fight against hunger in North Central Wisconsin during the annual Scouting for Food initiative.

In 2017, 40 million Americans, including 6.5 million children, lived in households that were food insecure according to the United States Department of Agriculture. This means these families were uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food to meet the needs of all their members. Locally, an estimated 42,540 adults and children suffered from food insecurity last year.

To help alleviate hunger in our community, over 6,000 Scouts will canvass area neighborhoods on April 6 to distribute food-collection bags to homes. The following weekend, April 13, Scouts will pick up the bags filled with non-perishable items and deliver them to local food pantries throughout the community.

“The Scout Oath includes a promise to help other people at all times. These young people live that promise every day, and we are proud to partner with our neighbors this month to reduce hunger in North Central Wisconsin,” said Leanna Holzem.

Last year, Scouts collected over 200,000pounds of food.