Boy Scouts collect more than 147,000 pound of food for the hungry Saturday

Thousands of Boy Scouts from the Three Harbors Council went door to door in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine and Kenosha counties on Saturday, March 23, collecting food in an effort to help feed children, families and seniors struggling with hunger in our community. Together, they collected more than 147,342 pounds of food to help feed people at-risk of hunger. The Milwaukee County Boy Scouts collected 104,328 pounds of food for Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. More than 43,000 pounds of food will benefit local food programs in Racine and Kenosha counties. Since 1988, the Milwaukee County Boy Scouts have collected more than three million pounds of food for Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.

The food was boxed up at eight local collection points throughout Milwaukee County and then volunteer drivers from Schneider National Trucking delivered the boxes to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. The food will be distributed to Milwaukee County food pantries, meal programs and shelters. Boy Scouts collected 22,115 pounds of food in Greendale. 

Jack Wanner sorted food at the West Allis Farmers Market after collection, "There's a lot of food," said Wanner, "Usually you don't think about it [hunger] until you do this and then it hits you." 13 year old Wanner is a member of Troop 580 in West Allis. 

“We are thankful to have such a wonderful partner in the Boy Scouts. These scouts are committed to helping their communities and are setting a positive example for their neighbors,” said Bonnie Bellehumeur, president of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin has experienced a 34% increase in the demand for food over the last two years. This food drive will help stock the shelves of local food pantries. 330,000 people, including 105,000 children, rely on food from Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin for their next meal.

If the Boy Scouts didn’t make it to your house or if you would still like to contribute to the food drive, you can make a donation of nonperishable food items at participating Pick ’n Save stores through April 7. Please place your donation in the Boy Scout food drive barrel near the checkout.