Scouts collect food for local families
Since he was a child, Washington resident Bruce McDowell felt the need to help those less fortunate than him.
McDowell recalls helping his mother take food to a family in need.
“There was a single light bulb” when the family opened the door, he said. “There was a sepia quality, people looking out as we handed over the food. One of my classmates was on the other side of the door. We made eye contact, but we never said a word. One receiving help. One giving help. I think a lot of people experience hunger in some way.”
In 1987, as an executive for Boy Scouts of America, McDowell helped to launch Western Pennsylvania’s Scouting for Food, part of a nationwide food drive that collects nonperishable items for area food banks.
Last year, Laurel Highlands Council Boy Scouts, which includes Washington and Greene counties, collected almost 560,000 units of food, worth about $5.5 million.
More than 7,000 regional Boy Scouts and the United Way will collect food through the end of April for City Mission and Greater Washington Food Bank, which serves about 5,200 low-income households yearly in Washington County, a lot of whom are elderly or children.
“The Scouting for Food drive is one incredible effort to bring awareness to hunger,” said Connie S. Burd, executive director of the food bank. “One in five Americans are hungry, and 40 percent of the food produced goes to waste. So, if we can rescue food and give it to those who need it, we’re doing our job.”
McDowell and his wife, Karen, volunteer at Community Circle Food Pantry in Washington, a distribution site. He said he is humbled by the people who come to the facility for a box of food.
“The Washington area has a lot of need,” he said. “People rely on supplemental food. They are living quiet lives of need. They’re not begging.”
As the Washington County Scouting for Food chairman, attorney Ken Baker echoed the sentiment.
“I’m concerned about the real need in this area,” Baker said. “We are doing everything we can to help.”
Around the area, Boy Scouts placed placards on residential doorknobs, notifying residents that they would return in one week to pick up the food.
Local businesses, churches and schools also got involved.
More than 2,400 pounds of nonperishable food was collected by students and faculty at Washington Park Elementary and Washington Junior High School.
Dr. Roberta P. DiLorenzo, superintendent of Washington School District and Scouting for Food liaison, has been involved in the effort for more than 10 years.
“One of the saddest things in our country is that we have hungry people,” she said. “Food banks are such a vital resource for families who need them.”
McDowell stressed that although Scouting for Food ends officially at the end of April, the food banks are always in need of donations.
“Hunger is ongoing,” he said. “It’s never-ending.”
To donate to Scouting for Food, call Bruce McDowell at 724-228-1540 or visit www.lhc-bsa.org.