Scouting For Food
Join the Fight Against Hunger in Our Community!
Scouting for Food is a nationwide service initiative of the Scouting America, and the Occoneechee Council is proud to be part of this important annual effort. In the fall, Scouts and volunteers throughout our council will unite to collect nonperishable food items for local food banks, helping families in need right here in our communities.
Campaign Overview
- First Weekend (Distribution) | Nov. 7, 2026 | Scouts place door hangers or bags on doorknobs of their local neighborhoods detailing requested food items and pickup plans.
- Second Weekend (Collection) | Nov. 14, 2026 | Scouts return to pick up filled bags left on doorsteps and deliver them to local food pantries or banks
Ways your unit can support local food banks:
- Door Hanger Drop-Off & Pickup – Distribute door hangers, then return a few days later to collect donations and deliver them to a food bank (locations listed below).
- Unit Meeting Collection – Collect food donations at your unit meeting.
- Grocery Store Collection Table – Set up outside a grocery store and hand flyers to shoppers asking them to grab an extra item or two for donation.
- Chartered Organization Food Drive – Partner with your church, synagogue, or civic group to host a food collection. Email membership@ocscouts.org to get a large collection box.
- School & Sports Team Partnerships – Encourage a local team to collect food at one of their games in lieu of admission.
- Farmers Market or Community Event Collection – Coordinate with local events to promote a “Bring a Can” day and collect donations onsite.
For units: Getting involved
Here are resources for units:
To request doorhangers or get help coordinating your Scouting for Food plan, fill out this form.
To find food pantries ready to receive your unit’s donation, see this list of pantries organized by zip code.
How to collect food in neighborhoods using the door tags:
- Receive Door Tags: Units pick up Scouting for Food door tags from the council to distribute in their assigned neighborhoods.
- Tag Local Homes: Scouts and volunteers visit homes and place door tags that explain the food drive and collection date.
- Collect Donations: On the designated collection date, Scouts return to those homes to pick up donated nonperishable food items.
- Deliver to Food Banks: All collected food is delivered to local food pantries and charitable organizations.
- Report Your Impact: Units submit their amounts of food collected using this survey so we can celebrate our community-wide success.
Why Participate?
Make a Positive Impact: Your efforts help provide essential food to people facing hunger.
Serve Your Community: This project exemplifies Scouting’s core value of helping others.
Build Teamwork and Leadership: Scouts develop important life skills while performing a meaningful service.
Strengthen Your Unit: Participation fosters pride and camaraderie among Scouts and families.
What to Collect
Download the list of foods:
Please gather only nonperishable foods that can be safely stored and distributed.
Do not include frozen or expired foods.
Share Your Scouting Spirit!
We encourage units to share photos, videos, and stories of their Scouting for Food efforts on social media. Tag the Occoneechee Council so we can celebrate your hard work and inspire others!
Thank you for helping Occoneechee Council Scouts bring hope and sustenance to families in need through Scouting for Food 2026. Together, we can make a difference!
Scout Oath
On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to
God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically
strong, mentally awake and morally straight.
