One of Scouting’s driving principles is "doing a good turn daily." Scouts at all levels participate in good turns and service projects. Some of these are for a rank advancement, the most famous being the Eagle Scout project. Others are being good citizens or environmental programs to make our neighborhoods and communities better places to live.

Do you know about Scouting for Food? It’s been a project of the Boy Scouts of America for decades. Scouts go out on one weekend, place hangers on the doors of their neighbors, and come back later to pick up the food and take it to a local food bank.

Bedford Boy Scout Troop 414 will be coordinating the efforts of Bedford Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Bedford High School volunteers. The main recipient of the goods from the food drive will be the Bedford Food Pantry. The Scouting for Food drive last year shared a large percentage of the items collected with the Bedford Food Pantry which had just begun operations. With Bedford families in need frequenting the pantry, this year’s Scouting for Food drive will replenish the stock used during the last year as well as add to the supplies expected to be needed for the upcoming year.

As we approach the holiday season, we are surrounded by images of good fortune, family and celebration. But even in the midst of this festivity, there are members of our community less fortunate. Nearly 350 adults and children in Bedford qualify for food stamps. More than 160 families in Bedford meet the income standards for the government’s free school lunch program. The pantry seeks to provide access to adequate food for families and individuals. The pantry is a coalition of five Bedford churches and is located in the Bedford Presbyterian Church.

Please leave donated food items by your mailbox by 9 a.m. on Nov. 12 for pickup by the scouts.

Accepted donations: Canned goods (tuna fish, chicken, beans, fruit, soup, chili); pasta; peanut butter; cereals; Pop Tarts; pancake, muffin or cake mixes; rice; powdered juice or milk; dried fruits; snack bars.

Please no frozen or refrigerated items, no glassware, no dented or expired items.

– Submitted by Bedford Boy Scout Troop 414