Scouting
for Food

April 12, 2025 ~ 9 AM

Help Feed the Hungry with Pack 970 and the Iron Horse District!

Join us on Saturday, April 12 as Pack 970 participates in the Iron Horse District’s Scouting for Food event—one of the largest community service projects in Scouting. For over 35 years, Scouts have helped stock local food pantries and support families in need. Let's do our part!

All Pack 970 Cub Scouts and their families are invited! This is a great opportunity to demonstrate Scout values like Helpful, Kind, and Courteous—and earn service hours and advancement credit.

Last year our district collected over 4,000 food items. This year’s goal is 5,000—let’s help Pack 970 lead the way!

📍 Event Details

Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Time: Food collection begins at 9:00 AM - Meet at Ogle for Kickoff
Location: Assigned neighborhoods near McKinney (maps to be provided)

🥫 What Are We Collecting?

We’re asking for non-perishable food items such as:

Canned vegetables, fruits, meats, and soups
Peanut butter, pasta, boxed meals (like Hamburger Helper)
Baby items (formula, baby food, diapers)

📋 What to Bring / Wear

Your Class A uniform
A wagon or tote bags for collecting food
Water bottle and good walking shoes
A cheerful attitude and Scout spirit!

✅ How It Works

Scouts will go door-to-door collecting food donations in local neighborhoods assigned to us by District.
We'll group into teams with adult drivers/supervisors.
After finishing their route, each Scout will bring their collection back to Ogle to consolidate with the other Scouts' collections.
Food collected will be delivered directly to a local food bank or pantry assigned to us by District.
At the end, we'll tally our items and report results to the district using this form.

🎖️ Advancement Credit for Cub Scouts

Scouting for Food isn’t just a service project—it also helps your Scout complete rank advancement requirements! Participating in this event supports the following achievements:

Lion (Kindergarten)

Animal Kingdom #4: Participate in a service project.

Tiger (1st Grade)

Team Tiger #4: Participate in a service project with your den or pack.
Duty to God #4: With your adult partner, help do a service project for someone in need.
Good Knights #6: Show your understanding of service by participating in a community service project.

Wolf (2nd Grade)

Council Fire #2: Participate in a community service project with your pack, den, or family.

Bear (3rd Grade)

Fellowship and Duty to God #2B: Work with your family or den to help a neighborhood or community organization.

Webelos & Arrow of Light (4th–5th Grade)

Participation counts toward service hour tracking and supports requirements in the Scouting Adventure and Duty to God pins.

🎖️ Advancement Credit for Cub Scouts

“Trick or Treat” style – Scouts with adult supervision go door-to-door in their local communities to request food donations.

Use recycled grocery store bags while collecting food
Suggested wording when Scout request food donations:
- “Hi, I’m a Scout from this community”
- “We are out today collecting food donations to help those in need!”
- “Can you help me meet my goal of collecting XXX (see goal setting next pg.) food items?”
- “Canned or unopened boxed food would be great!”
- “Thank You” (either way when receiving food donations or not, always say Thank You)

🔐 Safety Guidelines

Always use the buddy system
No one-on-one contact between adults and youth
Do not enter homes, gated yards, or apartment buildings
Cross streets carefully and always stay in groups
Thank everyone, even if they don’t donate!

📣 Help Us Spread the Word!

Share our flyer on neighborhood bulletin boards, social media, your church or school, or even with your PTA.

Here is what you can post to make it easy!

Hey neighbors! 👋

Our family is helping with Scouting for Food this Saturday, April 12. Local Cub Scouts from Pack 970 (including my Scout!) will be going door-to-door starting at 9:00 AM to collect non-perishable food donations for local food banks.

If you'd like to help, just leave a bag of food on your front porch labeled “Scouting for Food” that morning—we’ll swing by and pick it up!

We’re collecting things like: 🥫 Canned veggies, fruits, soups, chili
🍝 Pasta, boxed meals, peanut butter
🍼 Baby food, formula, diapers
🥣 Breakfast items like cereal and granola bars

Thanks for helping support our community! 💛

Right-click the graphic below to save it, then post to your neighborhood groups.

🧭 Leader Guide: Organizing Scouting for Food

✅ Key Responsibilities

Register the Pack with the district using the annual sign-up link (usually published in February or March).
Communicate with the District SFF Chair to get assigned neighborhood maps, drop-off locations, and important dates.
Divide assigned territory into manageable routes for dens or family teams.
Coordinate with Den Leaders to encourage participation and assign coverage areas.
Promote the event in meetings, emails, social media, and newsletters. Use flyers and customizable templates from the district.
Track results and report food item totals and volunteer hours using the district’s Google Form.

📌 Assigned Territories & Food Drop-Off

Maps and food drop-off locations will be provided closer to the event.
Please be sure to only cover your assigned area thoroughly.
We aim to ensure every home is contacted without duplication or gaps.

💡 Tips for Success

Keep it short & simple: One-day commitment, easy ask for families
Use Class A uniforms: Builds visibility and public trust
Set a unit goal: Ex: "Let’s collect 500 items!"
Make it fun: Turn it into a friendly den challenge or service contest
Print extras: Maps, flyers, safety sheets, and thank-you notes
Communicate early and often: Families appreciate advance notice

📋 Preparation Timeline

4–6 Weeks Before:

Assign a Pack SFF Coordinator (usually a Committee Member or Cubmaster delegate)
Register with the District
Begin saving grocery bags or boxes
Request promotion at Pack meetings and via parent email/text groups
Make posts in local neighborhood groups CANVA TEMPLATE

2–3 Weeks Before:

Receive the territory map from the district
Create a collection plan for dens or teams
Send out reminders and finalize driver/adult coverage
Review safety guidelines and talking points with leaders

1 Week Before:

Final confirmation of logistics and food drop-off details
Remind families of uniform requirements and collection etiquette
Print maps, checklists, thank-you cards (optional), and bring extras
Make posts in local neighborhood groups CANVA TEMPLATE

Day Of:

Host a short kickoff briefing with Scouts and adults at the school
Pass out maps and organize teams
Collect food, combine into fewer vehicles, and deliver to the food bank
Thank families and take photos!

After the Event:

Submit results: District Reporting Form
Send photos to the District Chair
Log service hours for each Scout in Scoutbook or with Den Leaders
Share a quick recap at the next Pack meeting

📎 Helpful Documents & Links

This guide is updated annually. If you’re the current organizer and want to make improvements or suggestions, please reach out to the Committee Chair or Webmaster.

Google Sites

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