Redondo’s Troop 788 scouting for food
Redondo Beach Boy Scout Troop 788: in front are Joseph Mejia, Robert Crompton, Mike Hodgkiss, and Carson Harris and in back are Daniel Jones, Ben Anderson, Thomas Noell, Matthew Murray, Brian Cloutier, Kyle Bohlander. Photo courtesy of Rick Powers
Over the past 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America have taught young boys to work hard and support their community. In November, Redondo Beach Boy Scout Troop 788 continued that tradition by participating in the nation-wide Scouting for Food.
Over a two week period, 13 Scouts, ranging in age from 12 to 17, and their parents worked to make this big event happen.
The Scouts met in uniform at the Anderson Park Scout House, a city-owned house in North Redondo that is used for Scout meetings and other community activities. After a going over of their plans and a quick donut fix, they split up into teams of two to five, and visited Redondo Beach homes, where they left bags to be filled with canned and other non-perishable food items. Their trek covered four neighborhoods near the Anderson Park Scout House.
The following week, the bags were collected from the generous neighbors and dropped off at the local Salvation Army center in Redondo Beach.
Tens of millions of pounds worth of food have been donated to charity by Scouting for Food. In addition to helping the homeless and others in need of food, the program teaches scouts organizational skills and about giving back to their community.
The Scouting for Food drive earns the Scouts community service hours that go toward school merit badges required to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Troop 788 has had over 10 Eagle Scouts over the past five years, an achievement that helps these future leaders when applying for college and looking to advance their careers.
Over two million Americans have attained Eagle since 1911, 39 of whom have gone on to become astronauts in our country’s space program.
For information about joining the Boy Scouts of America, visit your local Scout House or visit their website at scouting.org. To donate to the Salvation Army, go to a local Salvation Army center or visit their website at salvationarmyusa.org/usn.