Scouting for Food

ScoutsTT’s second annual national food drive, “Scouting for Food”, launched on Sunday May 21st, 2017. Cub Scouts who attended a Science Camp over the weekend went up to Massy Stores in St. Ann’s where they asked customers to donate food items which will be distributed to need families and homes across the country.

For six weeks from May 21 to July 2 there will be collection bins set up at all Massy Stores and JTA locations across the country. Scouts in uniform will be present at the supermarkets on weekends to promote the food drive and assist with the collection of donations.

On January 1st 2016, the United Nations officially launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), built on the success of the Millennium Development Goals. Number two on the list of SDGs is to “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.”

In Trinidad and Tobago more than twenty percent of the country’s population lives below the poverty line and eight to eleven percent are undernourished. Scouting for Food aims to educate the public of this issue among so many in our community and engender a commitment to community, volunteerism and helping each other.

National Scout Commissioner, Roger Berkeley, sees Scouting for Food as an initiative that can be a significant step towards eradicating hunger in Trinidad and Tobago and encourages all to do a good turn for our beloved country.

“It is amazing to see how each of our small contributions of one or two cans can be put together with other donations to make a significant impact on a family and their ability to feed themselves. Last year we saw firsthand the joy of many recipients who would have otherwise struggled to eat, especially during the July-August vacation period when there is no school feeding program to assist,” reflected Berkeley.

ScoutsTT urges the public to get involved with this initiative. The “Express Collect” element is being introduced to make it easy for companies to set up food drives at their office places. Simply make a request by calling Scout Headquarters and an empty barrel will be dropped off then collected once filled.

Food donations will be distributed primarily with the help of other organisations such as the Foundation for Enhancement and Enrichment of Life (FEEL) and Living Water Community and to families identified by scout groups in their districts across the country.

To learn more about Scouting for Food including how to get involved, contact the Scout Headquarters at 624-7271.