Some 65,000 Utah Boy Scouts will be out in force Saturday collecting food for the needy during the annual "Scouting for Food Drive."
According to Rod Miller, development director for the Utah Food Bank, this collection drive couldn't come at a better time.
"There are people in need going without food," he said, explaining that some food bank pantries are empty right now. Food supplies are much lower than they were a year ago.
The Food Banks rely heavily on the Scout drive. For example, Miller said Salt Lake City's food banks received 900,000 pounds of food from Oct. 15 to Dec. 31 of last year, yet for this weekend alone the goal is to gather 1 million pounds of food.
"The Boy Scout drive is our largest single day," Miller said. "It's a big part of our year."
Last year Scouts in Salt Lake City collected 900,000 pounds of food and their goal this year is the million mark. Statewide, the goal is 2.5 million pounds of food this year.
Scouts statewide hope to take an empty plastic bag for the donations to every house in advance, by Friday. Miller said if a household doesn't receive a special bag, they can still donate by putting a bag of food out on their doorstep by 9 a.m. Saturday that's marked for the Scout food drive.
He said the food collected will remain in the area it is collected in, according to the boundaries of the three Utah Scout councils.
"We're looking for food with a long shelf life," Miller said.
Canned goods such as tuna and other meats are especially in demand. Boxed goods are also being sought. The main thing the food banks don't want is food in glass containers.
The Utah National Guard will be take the food collected Saturday from various community collections points to the food banks.
"We also need 300 volunteers Saturday," Miller said.
These workers are needed to help put the food away at the food banks. Volunteers are being asked to work at least two-hour shifts, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday. Ideally, they should call the Salt Lake Food Bank and schedule a two-hour block.
Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff has been extensively involved in the Scouting for Food Drive. He will also go door to door with some Scouts starting Saturday at 9 a.m. in the area of 1225 E. 8600 South.
For more information, call the Salt Lake Food Bank at 908-8660, or the Great Salt Lake Council of the Boy Scouts, 582-FOOD.
E-MAIL: lynn@desnews.com