Norfolk, Va. – Scouts across southside Hampton Roads and northeastern North Carolina conducted a food drive, collecting 15,936 pounds of food.

The Tidewater Council of the Boy Scouts of America hosted the annual “Scouting for Food” drive in early February 2021, with 517 Scouts and family members participating. The food collected was distributed to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, the Food Bank of the Albemarle, and other area food pantries.

“I am so excited about the program and what we have contributed to the community,” said Tidewater Council Scouting for Food Chair Tracy McGlothian. “I can’t wait until we do it again next year.”

Mallory Reckling, Community Engagement Coordinator at the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore said, “I want to thank all the Scouts and all the families that rallied together and provided all of this healthy and nutritious food so that we can distribute it to seniors, children, and low-income families in our community, especially in this tremendous time of need.”

Tidewater Council’s 2021 Scouting for Food drive collected more than four times as much food as the same effort in February 2020.

“Scouting is built on giving back to the community and doing community service,” said Tidewater Council Scout Executive James Parnell. “We are looking forward to helping more people next year.”

About Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America
Tidewater Council is the 5th oldest Boy Scouts of America council in the United States, established in 1911. Today, the Council serves approximately 4,300 youth and 2,100 adult volunteers in the Virginia cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, and the North Carolina counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans. More information about Tidewater Council is available by visiting www.tidewaterbsa.com, emailing james.parnell@scouting.org, or calling 757-497-2688.

About the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore
For almost 40 years, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore has provided over 350 million meals to those in our community who face hunger. Through our programs, facilities, and large network of community partners, we “eliminate hunger” on a daily basis for many. However, we understand that our current work addresses hunger for individuals in the short term. It does not address the root causes which force individuals to return to a food pantry again and again. This understanding has led to the creation of a 3-year strategic plan aimed to move Hampton Roads closer to achieving the mission of eliminating hunger for those we serve—not only for the day, or for the week, but for a lifetime. For up-to-date information on the Foodbank, visit www.foodbankonline.org, Facebook, or Twitter.

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