Also, food pantries in this area have been depending on this drive for years to stock their shelves. The drive is timely. With Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching, food pantries, in particular, are busy providing food to the needy. Cold weather months usually place more of a demand for food from pantries also.

Scouting officials said the need this year is greater than in any other years since the campaign was launched. The demand for food the past year from pantries has increased about 13 percent. Unemployment has been around 10 percent for the past several months. That alone tells the story of more people needing assistance.

A Scout official said people who were regular donors in this drive now are standing in line to receive canned goods and nonperishables!

The bags for canned goods and nonperishable food will be distributed this Saturday and picked up the following Saturday by the Scouts. The goal this year is to collect more than last year when 2.2 million items were donated for people in this area.

This is a massive drive. This year the need is greater. A greater response from the general public is needed. People in this area are known for their generosity. We believe the response will be there!