Scouting for Food is an annual effort during which Scouts collect nonperishable food items for local food banks and pantries.

For the effort, which generally takes place over two consecutive weekends, Scouts distribute informational door hangers on the first weekend and return to collect donated canned and boxed goods on the second weekend. The program is designed to help local families in need while teaching Scouts about community service and leadership.

Locally, Boy Scout Troop and Cub Scout Troop 20 of Atglen, which comprises students in the Pequea Valley and Octorara school districts, collected food for the Octorara Area Food Cupboard (OAFC). The Scouts placed the door hangers on homes in the area on Nov. 8 and then collected the food and delivered it to the pantry on Nov. 15.

Pack 20 contributed 1,547 individual items weighing 1,491 pounds. "They collect from Atglen, Christiana, Cochranville and (towns) in between," noted Christine Zink, a member of the troop's parent committee, noting the Scouts, along with family members, including parents and siblings, brought donations to the Lions Park in Christiana. "They gathered at the park to count and consolidate the food."

The Scouts delivered the food to OAFC, where director Cherie Myers and OAFC volunteers sorted the items and prepared them for distribution to pantry clients.

Also participating in the program were Boy Scouts from Parkesburg Troop 135 and boys and girls from Cub Scout Pack 135, which collected 2,294 pounds of food.

The OAFC, located at 714 W. Main St., Parkesburg, is always in need of nonperishable food donations. Each month, the OAFC posts a list of needed items on its website, http://www.octfood.com. For November, the list includes sauerkraut, hearty soups, soup crackers, canned fruit and canned meat. For more information, call 610-857-4000 or email oafc424@gmail.com.

Atglen Troop 20 is also holding a fruit basket and gift set sale. All baskets include red delicious and golden delicious apples, as well as clementines, oranges, grapefruit, anjou pears and a jar of Kauffman's apple butter. Items can be picked up on Monday, Dec. 15, at Penningtonville Presbyterian Church, 406 Main St., Atglen. To place an order, email fruit@atglenscouts.org. Orders can also be given to members of the Scout troop.