Boy Scouts distribute bags for food drive on Saturday

SIKESTON -- Of all the community service projects in which local Boy Scouts participate, Vern Griffith, district chairman for the Cherokee District, said this weekend's is likely the most important.

"The Scouting for Food program helps instill the concepts of community service and helping others in our Scouts," said Griffith. "It's a very important program not only for our community and the families that depend on the food pantry here in town, but also throughout the Bootheel and the country, as this is a nationwide service project for the Scouting program."

The annual community service campaign, now in its 26th year, will begin on Saturday, when Boy Scouts will fasten bags to the front doors of homes in Sikeston neighborhoods and those in other towns. On Nov. 20, Scouts will return to the neighborhoods to pick up donated food items from residents' front porches.

"It's very encouraging and heartening to see the generosity of the families in Sikeston," said Griffith. "Oftentimes, there are two or three bags of food items left out on the doorstep for pickup."

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