COCONUT CREEK – The South Florida-based charity Food For The Poor has donated and distributed more than 20 million meals in Haiti since the earthquake on Jan.12. Part of that came from Girl and Boy Scouts of America, who have raised money and collected nonperishable food items to help the people of Haiti and are interested in making the world a better place.
For several weeks, 18 members of Junior Girl Scout Troop 10737 from St. Bonaventure Catholic School in Davie, Fla., organized and planned an event as part of their requirement to earn one of three prestigious Girl Scout awards – the Bronze Award. Five representatives from the Junior Girl Scout Troop 10737 delivered the collected relief supplies to Food For The Poor.
“The girls have learned a great deal about working together in an effort to help others,” said Elizabeth Lawson, Junior Girl Scout Troop 10737 leader. “These are life lessons that most kids will never experience. The culmination of their work was the collection of 2,300 pounds of food and several hundred dollars. At each mass the girls collected canned goods and donations. They also took proceeds from their own cookie sales and donated it to Food For The Poor rather than keeping it for themselves.”
To collect the nonperishable food items, troop members decorated boxes with drawings and inspirational messages for each classroom and the church. Some of the heartfelt messages read, “From Our Hands To Yours,” and “God Bless those who take care of one another.”
The coveted Bronze Award and Eagle Scout badge both require that scouts learn the necessary leadership and planning skills to follow through on a project that makes a positive impact on their community. Working toward these awards demonstrates a level of commitment to helping others, and improving the community and the world.
“Helping people feels good,” said Kenny Kistner, 13, as he and members of Boy Scout Troop 306 from Boca Raton, Fla., unloaded more than 610 pounds of nonperishable food items and several boxes of toiletries and assorted paper good items at Food For The Poor’s headquarters.
Kistner said supplies collected for his Eagle Scout project to benefit Haiti’s earthquake victims will be donated through Food For The Poor because of the charity’s efficiency in getting goods to those who need it.
During a five-week period, under the leadership and direction of Kistner, members of Boca Raton’s Boy Scout Troop 306 manned an information and donation booth outside of Publix, a carnival booth at Waters Edge Elementary School, and coordinated nonperishable food drives at Don Estridge High Tech Middle School, Loggers’ Run Middle School, and Waters Edge Elementary School. Additional monies raised through this Eagle Scout project will be used to buy tents, sleeping bags, backpacks and nonperishable food items.
Involve your troop in Food For The Poor’s Haiti rebuilding effort by calling 1-877-654-2960, ext. 6988 or by e-mailing [email protected].
“The innocence and sincerity of children are part of the reason why they are universally beloved,” said Angel Aloma, Food For The Poor’s Executive Director. “How the international community has responded to this catastrophic event has renewed my hopes that future generations will work together to care for one another.”
