Press releases

Girl Scouts continue food drive
tradition for House of Hope

GIRL SCOUTS FOOD DRIVE INFO (PDF)

Girl Scouts food drive at the movies on March 29

PRESS RELEASE DATE: MARCH 9, 2010

Girl Scouts in Martin County are continuing their tradition of collecting food for House of Hope with a major drive this weekend and a collection at Winn Dixie stores throughout the month,

The Girl Scouts went door-to-door last weekend, distributing about 8,000 door hangers to ask people to fill up bags of food to be picked up and delivered House of Hope on March 13.

For gated communities, the Girl Scouts suggest that residents take part by conducting their own drives and contacting House of Hope at (772) 286-4673 for a pickup of donated food.

In addition, Winn Dixie is joining forces with the Girl Scouts this year by placing boxes in its stores to collect food on behalf of the Scouts’ drive throughout March.

“This is a tradition for the local Girl Scouts,” said Debbie Geiger, who coordinates the Martin County food drive. “If you are a former Girl Scout, this is a good way to stay involved, help your community and current Scouting efforts.”

The types of nonperishable food items needed include canned tomato products, fruit, vegetables, non-condensed soup, canned or powdered milk, canned meat and fish, cereal, rice, beans and pasta.

House of Hope is the largest provider of food to the hungry in Martin County. In 2009 the agency gave out more than 130 tons of food – the equivalent of more than 296,000 meals. One-third of this amount feeds hungry children.

In normal economic times, low-wage workers and fixed-income seniors depend on House of Hope food pantries to fill the gaps. During the past two years, however, more and more middle income workers whose hours have been reduced or eliminated completely are turning to House of Hope to make ends meet.

For more information about House of Hope, call (772) 286-4673, or visit www.hohmartin.org.