Cub Scout Pack 48 of West Windsor helped replenish the food pantry inventory of the Crisis Ministry of Trenton and Princeton on December 14. The food drive collected 211 bags (1,372 pounds) of non-perishable food and $1,145 in cash donations from patrons at the McCaffrey’s supermarket in West Windsor. Assistant Den Leader Reena Goyal organized the event, and her outstanding organization helped the pack to beat the previous year’s results — in fewer hours.
McCaffrey’s Store Manager Dave Saitta and his staff were supportive of the pack’s proposal to invite shoppers to purchase donations along with their regular groceries. Twenty-six scouts, ages 6 through 11, worked in daytime shifts of 90 minutes at the entrance and exit of the store.
Scouts at the entrance handed out leaflets detailing a list of needed items, as they explained, “We’re collecting donations on this list to help the Crisis Ministry. If you get items while you’re shopping, we have a shopping cart stationed after the cash registers to collect the food.” Store patrons were generous and supportive of their efforts.
Community service is a core value of scouting; at each meeting Pack 48 repeats the Cub Scout Promise which includes “to do our duty to God and our country, to help other people.” Area scouts of all ages volunteer in nature conservation projects, and public space improvements as well as Scouting for Food programs.
