Discover How Ebenezer’s Food Pantry is Stocking Up: A Journey to Support Our Community’s Needs – Salisbury Post

Scouting for Food: Helping Ebenezer’s Food Pantry

February can be a tough month for many. As winter drags on, some families struggle to find their next meal. That’s where the Scouting for Food program comes in.

This initiative brings together local scout troops to collect non-perishable food items. Recently, members of Scout Troop 328 and Girl Scout Troop 4328 ventured into their neighborhoods to gather donations for Ms. Ruby’s Pantry, located at Ebenezer Lutheran Church.

Douglas Stirewalt, the scoutmaster of Troop 4328, explained how they operate. “We place bags with our contact information on doorsteps and follow up door-to-door,” he said. Householders can easily reach out if they wish to participate.

Using technology, like doorbell cameras, adds a modern twist to their efforts. Stirewalt found it amusing at first to talk to residents through these cameras, even admitting to getting much closer than intended last year.

Among the dedicated scouts was Olivia Chandler, who finds motivation in seeing how generous people can be. “At first, it surprised me,” she noted. “But after doing this for a couple of years, it feels normal to see the community giving back.”

Another scout, Kyleigh Stiltner, enjoys engaging with residents. “I’m very social,” she said. “People tend to open up more to me rather than feeling like I’m just another salesperson.” She emphasizes teamwork, saying that many hands make the work lighter, especially when collecting heavy donations.

For these scouts, spending Saturday mornings collecting food is not just a task—it’s fun. “We have a great time together,” said Allie Foreman, sharing a laugh with her fellow scouts.

Ann Barber, a longtime scout leader at Ebenezer, enjoys watching the camaraderie develop among the youth. The Scouting for Food program has roots dating back to the 1980s, when a scout in Michigan noticed families struggling to afford groceries, especially in February when bills begin to pile up after the holidays.

Ms. Ruby’s Pantry helps address this need in the community, providing food assistance to local families and even packing bags for students at Bostian Elementary School. “Food insecurity is a reality for many,” Barber said. “We need to lend a hand.”

Scouts not only support their neighbors but also learn essential skills. They learn to weigh food donations, read labels, and sort items, enhancing their social abilities in the process.

After their recent collection, the scouts gathered over 1,800 pounds of food—an impressive haul! Barber emphasized the importance of their work, especially as the community expands and more families might need help.