Wellesley’s Boy Scout, Girl Scout, Brownie and Daisy Troops and Cub Scout Packs will be spreading out across Wellesley to collect bags of donated items for the Wellesley Food Pantry on Saturday from 9am-1pm. Please be sure to leave donations on doorsteps or porches by 9am in case you have early birds in your neighborhood.
Last year, the generosity of 7,000 Wellesley residents meant that the scouts collected nearly nine tons of food for the Wellesley Food Pantry, which was then sorted and boxed by 247 volunteers (including many scouts and their parents) on the day of the food collection.
The food pantry is a lifeline to a large number of Wellesley residents: more than 420 individuals are clients in over 200 households.
Food items that are in highest demand are: canned meats (the #1 need); vegetable oil (plastic containers, please); ketchup; jams and jellies(especially non-grape); and hearty chicken or beef soup (Progresso hearty chicken is a favorite!). The following are also greatly appreciated: cans offish, ravioli, beef stew, and tomatoes; pasta and pasta sauce; cereal; macaroni and cheese; plain brown or white rice; coffee; peanut butter; and mayonnaise. However the Wellesley Food Pantry asks that no glass containers, perishables, Halloween candy or expired food be put out for the food drive.
Personal care items, which can’t be purchased with food stamps, are also always in high demand, particularly shampoo and dental hygiene (toothbrushes and toothpaste). Other non-food items that are greatly appreciated are laundry detergent, bar soap, toilet paper, feminine care,deodorant, shaving cream and paper towels.
Should your bag pickup be missed for some reason you may drop it off in the donation bins at Roche Brothers or Whole Foods in Wellesley.
