Local News - November 2003

Hundreds go scouting for food

Christian Ministry collection

By SARAH GRANO, Staff Writer

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The soup kitchen line at the Christian Ministry of Lincoln County can became so long it wraps around the building.

Fewer people have made donations since the downturn in the economy, and more families have voiced a need for assistance.

With the help of 1,600 Boy Scouts, however, the Christian Ministry can still combat hunger this holiday season.

“We could not do it if it wasn’t for scouts bringing in all the food that they do,” said Susan Brymer, executive director of the Christian Ministry.

As part of the national Boy Scouts of America Scouting for Food Good Turn, Lincoln County Boy Scouts will go door to door hanging requests for donations on door knobs.

A week later, on Nov. 22, the Boy Scouts will come back to the houses and pick up the canned food donations.

Unfortunately, scouts will not be able to go to every home in Lincoln County, especially those located in the rural areas.

Those who never receive a hanger can drop food off at designated locations.

Drop off locations include the Lincolnton Fire Department and the Carolina Trust Bank. The locations will be marked by scout utility trailers and banners.

For the first time, Carolina Trust Bank is sponsoring the project. Mike Cline, president of the bank, has become chairman of the Heartland District’s Scouting for Food program.

 Participants hope the drop off locations will create more visibility for the project and lead to more donations.

Last year scouting units collected an estimated 4,500 pounds of food, and participants hope to collect more this year.

Need for donations has risen significantly since the last campaign, and the numbers are expected to increase during the holiday season.

“So many people have lost their jobs, or they have a fear of losing their jobs,” Brymer said.

“I think that people that are still fortunate enough to have a job will share with those who don’t have one. Lincoln County has always been a generous county.”

Participating Boy Scouts will certainly be generous with their time, but working to collect food for the needy is just part of their duty.

“You can’t be a Boy Scout without serving your community,” said Thad Cloer, an organizer of the Lincoln County project and a Piedmont Council district executive.

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Staff Writer Sarah Grano can be reached at 704-735-3031 or sgrano@ltnews.com

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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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