Kennebec Valley District Scouts tackling hunger during holidays

AUGUSTA – Scouts in Kennebec Valley District – which includes Somerset, Kennebec, Franklin, Lincoln and Knox counties – are taking time during the holiday season to help others through the annual Scouting for Food Drive.
“It’s great to see our Scouts giving back to their communities,” said district Vice Chairman Chuck Mahaleris. “A Scout is taught to be helpful, and to help other people at all times. It is heartening to see our Cub packs and Scout troops taking time to put those words into practice.”
Troop 401 in Sidney held their Scouting for Food drive early in November.
The Troop collected a pickup truck full of nonperishable food as well as raising $150 in a bottle drive, all of which when to the local Food Cupboard. They even separated the food by date and helped take care of the product, said Troop 401 Scoutmaster Eric Handley.
In Pittsfield, Scoutmaster Shelley Connolly reported, “Amazing Job Cub Scout Pack 428 and Boy Scout Troop 428. We collected a lot of food and had $401.52 in cash donations.”
Scouts in that pack and troop have an annual Fill the Tent program, where they ask shoppers at Danforth’s Supermarket to help those in need. They had their collection on Nov. 5. Food was given to the Somerset Elementary School Pantry and another donation will be delivered to the Pittsfield Food Pantry after Christmas.
Similar efforts have also been held by Cub Scouts in Augusta and Camden with more being organized for December in other parts of the district. “As long as there is a need, Scouts will be there to help,” Mahaleris said.
On Nov. 19, Scouts from Jackman Troop 497 held their Scouting for Food Drive outside Mountain Country Supermarket. Scoutmaster Karla Talpey said she was delighted by the response from the community.
“Whether you put 50 cents in the donation bucket or $50, or donated a turkey or two, or hams, or canned goods, please know how appreciative Troop 497 is of your donations to our Scouting for Food drive,” she said. “The community’s response every year is just unbelievable and we are so grateful!”
Talpey said that the Scouts and their parents sorted, packed and delivered boxes to those who are food insecure in Jackman, as well as to a family in the Forks. The boxes had turkeys, hams, stuffing, potatoes, carrots, cranberry jelly, brownie mix, sugar, flour, butter, cheese and crackers, canned vegetables, juices, paper towels, onions, spaghetti and sauces, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter “and everything you need for Thanksgiving feast,” she said.
“It is only because of your support that we are able to make and deliver these boxes every year. A total of approximately 800 pounds of food in total,” she said. “On behalf of all the Scouts of Troop 497, we wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. God bless each and every one of you.”

PHOTOS: Above: Scouts and Cubs in Troop 401, in Sidney, raised food and money for the local food pantry. Front row, from left, Willie LeHay, Zachary LeHay, Parker LeHay, Anderson Diehl, Gregory Bard, Seth Sadler, Scoutmaster Eric Handley and Daphanie Simpson; second row, William Dudley, Dawson White, Issac Allarie and Gabe Steinberger; far back, Dan Allarie. Below: Pittsfield Pack 428 Cub Scout Lucas Doughty and his mother, Rebecca Doughty, were among those who helped collect food during the Fill a Tent food drive in November. (Submitted photos)