Boy scouts flood food banks with donations

The Grand Teton Council of the Boy Scouts of America held its annual Scouting For Food Drive on Saturday.

Boy Scouts across eastern Idaho and western Wyoming went door-to-door collecting donations of food which they then deposited at local food banks.

“Most of the time people would just leave food out on the door step,” said Scout Hayden Brundy.

Thousands of items were dropped off at the Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership’s food pantry.

Boxes of food were carted in using a forklift.

With two major holidays around the corner, the influx of support comes at a critical time.

“This is a very good thing that we’re doing towards the community and helping out everybody getting closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas,” said Brett Hicks, who runs the food pantry.

The Boy Scouts also get something out of this.

“These boys may not be the recipients of this food, but they can see who it goes to and locally, and I feel a part of that in the community is good for them to be exposed,” said troop leader Tyson Ferney.

“It kind of brightens my day and it lifts my spirits because it feels good because I was able to help someone who doesn’t have as much as I have,” said Hayden.

The Boy Scouts said it could be several days before they have an official count of how many items were donated.

The goal this year was 500,000 items.