Scouts food drive helps keep folks fed

Generosity and good will were flowing freely as the Daisy Girl Scouts hit the streets to help fill the Kiwanis Food Bank's shelves earlier this month.

Armed with some creative ideas and plenty of positive attitude, the girls fanned out and left Ray's Food Place grocery bags at the doorsteps of homes near Sisters Elementary School. To add their own personal touch, the girls painted river rocks and attached the bags to them.

On Wednesday April 15, the girls pulled two red wagons full of freshly painted rocks through Timber Creek and homes nearby.

"The wagons were a gift from the City of Sisters' Grant Program," said Girl Scout leader Evelyn Brush.

The Girl Scouts received $300 from the city to purchase the wagons.

"We used the wagons in a variety of ways," said Brush. "The third grade Girl Scouts delivered food from Joyful Noise (Learning Center) to the food bank."

Girl Scout leaders Jennifer McCrystal and Wendy Vernon had the kindergarten and first grade Girl Scouts paint the rocks before delivering them around the neighborhood.

"We thought it would be fun for the girls to decorate the rocks first," said McCrystal.

Concerned about the plastic bags she had seen floating around Sisters whenever a strong wind hit town, McCrystal wanted to make sure their Girl Scout troop didn't contribute to the problem.

Like Christmas morning, it was wonderful to go back to the homes where they had left the empty bags and find them filled with food for those who are doing without these days.

"I was overwhelmed to see, even in these tough economic times, how much food was donated," said McCrystal.

As the Daisy Girl Scouts loaded all the food into McCrystal's car, they were amazed at how heavy the bags were and how much they had collected. Vernon had to help some of the younger girls with the bulging bags. Before long McCrystal's car was overflowing with all kinds of food and household items. With her car filled, the girls marched back into the school ready to begin their next activity: snack time.

The next day McCrystal dropped the food off at the Kiwanis Food Bank, which is open on Thursdays. The girls' donations helped to fill the shelves, but volunteers on staff stressed that they always need more donations. Breakfast items like cereals and oatmeal are always needed, as is toilet paper. Local families arrived that day to supplement their dwindling stores of food and other daily necessities.

Many other community organizations, from churches to school groups and individuals, help to keep refilling the ever-needed food supplies.

The Girl Scouts are proud of the part they played in making sure folks in Sisters don't go hungry.