By Anna Skinner
Residents in certain Westfield neighborhoods may be opening the door to young Cub Scouts with questions the morning of Nov. 5.
Four local Cub Scout packs will partner with Troop 107 to collect nonperishable goods to donate to various food pantries before the holidays. Troop 107’s Scouting for Food initiative has been ongoing for more than 10 years.
“One of the missions of our troop is Westfield Scouts helping Westfield families,” Scouting for Food Coordinator Christine Irwin said. “Most of our projects and service opportunities focus on Westfield’s community. The younger Scouts really enjoy knocking on the doors that morning because they’re well-received by the neighbors, and neighbors really like to see the kids helping out in the community and doing good work and hearing about their scouting for food drive.”
Troop 107 Boy Scouts will be at Christ United Methodist Church that morning sorting food to take to various food pantries, including Open Doors, Thanksgiving Meal Project and Amanda Strong Foundation’s Christmas Meal Project.
Last year, 2,000 food items were collected. Irwin estimates approximately 75 Cub and Boy Scouts participate in the day’s activities. Older Boy Scouts remain at the church to box up the food while the younger Scouts and their parents venture out into the neighborhoods.
Cub Scouts will hit Merrimac, Springmill Villages, Bridlewood, Oak Manor, Crestview and Viking Meadows neighborhoods. Neighbors in those areas who will not be home during the scouting initiative hours of 9:30 a.m. to noon are encouraged to leave nonperishable items on their doorstep or bring the items to Christ United Methodist Church, 318 N. Union St., before 12:30 p.m.
Open Doors does have a needs list that includes saltines, fruit cocktail, mandarin oranges, pears, spinach, dry pasta, spaghetti, instant potatoes, canned chili and chili beans.
For more, visit bstroop107.org.
