Scouting for Food History

Scouting for Food, the nation’s largest food drive, began as one Scout’s service project in St. Louis in 1985 and was adopted by the National Organization in 1988.  Packs, Troops, and Crews all across America participate in this service project to collect food for those in need.

Follow the Steps Below for Success

Distribute Door Hangers (Order Here)

On November 7, 2026 distribute door hangers close to home. Have an adult-accompanied, uniformed Scout leave door hangers on the front doors of your neighbors. Keep track of the specific addresses where you place door hangers. 

Collect Food

Leave filled bags out the morning of Saturday, November 7th. Scouts and their parents will return to each house and collect all food donations. Items can be picked up on Saturday, November 14, 2026, beginning at 8 a.m. Please canvass the entire neighborhood.

Units will need to track the total number of bags of food collected and the number of participating Scouts to include on their Scouting for Food report before delivering the food to their receiving organization.

Report Results

Be sure record your service hours for a job well done. Service hours are now being reported via Scoutbook! To make your report to Minsi Trail Council and order patches please use this link: https://scoutingevent.com/502-2026sffreporting

Staying Safe While Scouting For Food

Participating in Scouting for Food is often a Scout’s first experience with a large scale service project and that can be very exciting. Following some simple rules will help ensure that your Scout stays safe in service.

• Conduct a Safety Briefing with your Pack or Troop before the activity starts.
• Notify your local municipality of the activity.
• Stay with a team. Distributing door hangers and picking up is safer and more fun when done in a group. 2-4 Scouts and a couple of parents can cover a neighborhood quickly and have a great time doing it!
• Wear your uniform! Your Scout uniform quickly identifies you to people as someone trustworthy and there to help. Then when you approach someone’s front door you’re not a stranger, you’re a Scout!
• Respect boundaries! If you see a “No Trespassing”, "No Solicitation" sign or encounter a locked gate respect that and go on to the next house.
• Never go inside. Someone may invite you inside for a drink or a snack but politely decline. It’s safer to stay on the front porch where the adults on your team can see you.

You and your team may also come up with your own safety rules and that’s great. Remember, Scouts serve safely!