14 April, 2008 - April is Scouting for Food month. Across the country,
Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts donate their time and effort to help local food
pantries at a critical time of year. The Boy Scouts of Troop 58 and the Cub
Scouts of Pack 63 have long been solid supporters of the Scouting for Food
program, helping Mazomanie's Christians in Action Community Food Pantry fill
their shelves.
But this year is different. This year, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is
pitching in, providing a cash donation to the pantry for each food item the
scouts collect.
The financial support is made possible by Thrivent's Care Abounds in Communities
program. That program, administered locally by Thrivent's county chapters,
utilizes volunteers to accomplish goals that will have broad-reaching effects
within local communities.
Mazomanie's Nathan Timm serves on Thrivent's local county chapter, and was
instrumental in bringing the Scouting for Food project to the chapter's board.
In March, the board reviewed and approved the proposal, agreeing to donate 50
cents for each food item the scouts collect, up to a maximum of $800.
Lois O'Connell of Christians in Action expressed appreciation for both the food
and monetary donations. According to O'Connell, the community is quite generous
with food donations during the holiday season. But by this time of year, the
pantry's stocks begin to run low. The food the Scouts collect allows them to
keep the pantry stored until the next holiday season. Getting the monetary
support from Thrivent makes this year's effort even more important. "We can
always use money," said O'Connell.
Troop 58 Scoutmaster Jeff Kirchman is appreciative of Thrivent's helpful offer.
He said, "When Nathan approached me with the idea last year, I knew it was
something we had to go for. When we got the approval, I contacted [Pack 63
Cubmaster] Doug Presny and suggested they join in. With our troop covering
Mazomanie and the pack responsible for Black Earth, we knew we could make the
most of Thrivent's generous offer." Presny concurs. "This was a great
opportunity for scouts of all ages in our community to come together for a
cause."
Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts distributed yellow 'door-hangers' on Saturday, April
12, advising Black Earth and Mazomanie residents of the upcoming collection
date. The scouts will return on Saturday, April 19, to collect donations. Those
wishing to participate need only place donations in front of their residences on
the collection date by 9:00 a.m.
If a donation is placed out late or has not been collected by 11:00 a.m.,
community members can bring the donation directly to the food pantry at the
Mazomanie Community Building until 12:15 p.m. In addition, Pack 63 will be
placing donation collection bins at the Mazo Mobil Mart and the Black Earth
Co-Op Market. The bins will be emptied by Tuesday, April 22.
Donations can include any non-perishable food items, though personal care
products and baby supplies are welcome as well.
Kirchman said, "I'm confident this is going to be one of our biggest collections
ever. We're pulling out all the stops to make sure the food pantry gets what
they need, in terms of both food and money."
Those with questions about the upcoming collection, Scouting for Food, or
Scouting in general can contact Jeff Kirchman at 795-2716.
CAPTION COPY:
Local Scouts deliver food donations to Mazomanie's food pantry during 2007's
Scouting for Food project. Pictured left to right: Garrett Haukoos, Matthew
Schultz, Hunter Presny, Tom Sonnenberg, Scoutmaster Jeff Kirchman and Assistant
Scoutmaster Mark Haukoos.