Scouts prepare for annual food drive

The number of poor Americans rose to 32.9 million in 2001 - an increase of 1.3 million from 2000. In Stoddard County alone, the unemployment rate stands at 4.9 percent and has run consistently higher than the state average for at least the last 10 years. The numbers are staggering and, with the sluggish economy, they continue to worsen leaving more and more families needing help for everyday necessities, including food. Stoddard County's Rescue Mission addresses the needs of low income families in a number of ways, especially with monthly food baskets that "stretch food dollars," according to Betty Lemons, the Mission's director. Through government commodities, food bought with monetary contributions and canned food donations, the Mission aids 1,200 low income families each month with free food, clothing and other items. This Saturday, Nov. 16, the local Cub and Boy Scouts will do their part to help their fellow Stoddard Countians. They will hit the streets to deliver bags to residences across the area. One week later, on Saturday, Nov. 23, the Scouts will retrieve the bags filled with non-perishable goods for distribution. Residents whose homes are set back from the street are asked to leave their bags near their mail boxes for more efficient pickup by the Scouts, some of whom are as young as six years old. Scouts will bring the donations to the Rescue Mission where, according to Lemons, certain items will be held to complete the menu for Christmas baskets and the rest will be added to the monthly food baskets.

"Last year the Scouts brought in 6,541 cans of food," Lemons said. "It enables us to provide a much better food basket." Each month the Mission in Dexter supplies the equivalent of two full bags of food to 1,200 families. Additional sites in Advance and Puxico, aid an additional 150 and 50 families, respectively. The annual Scouting for Food program allows the Mission to place an additional one or two items in each family's food basket throughout the winter months, Lemons reported. "Most recipients are elderly living on $400 to $500 a month," Lemons reported. "What food they receive allows them to have more to spend on utilities, medicines and other essential items."

The Perfect Bag

With more than 1,500 varieties of canned foods in today's supermarkets, choosing what to donate can be a difficult decision. Suggestions for contributions in the "perfect" Scouting for Food bag (a variety of food in unbreakable, canned containers) could include hearty soups, stews or chili, fruit and fruit juice, cans of tuna, chicken or salmon, vegetables, tomato or pasta sauce, a canned meal, beans and evaporated milk.