Callaway County Cub and Boy Scouts spent their Saturday collecting food for neighbors in need as part of their annual Scouting for Food drive.
Five Cub Scout packs and three Boy Scout troops from Fulton and Mokane went door-to-door in their communities and stood outside Moser's, C&R Market and Wal-Mart in Fulton accepting donations to benefit the SERVE, Inc. food pantry, by collecting food items.
"I just think (the food drive) is important for the needy because some of them don't have food and they need the food we send to them," said 10-year-old Zach Herndon, a member of Webelo Pack 31 of the Fulton Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as he stood outside the Fulton Wal-Mart Saturday afternoon.
"It's good because we can help charities that can help those in need of food," agreed pack mate Ian Cote, 10.
Andy Lindner, 10, a member of Boy Scout Troop 50 in Fulton, shared a similar opinion as to why the annual Scouting for Food event is so important, adding that he enjoys helping because "I get to help poor people so they don't starve."
"It helps people that don't have food, so if a lot of people bring in food, they won't be poor anymore," Lindner said.
Event coordinator Tim Loftus, assistant scout master for Troop 50, said this year's efforts were on track with previous years, thanks in part to the addition of the store collection points.
"I think the neighborhood collections are down a little bit but I think the stores will make up for it," Loftus said while overseeing sorting efforts at the Scout Cabin Saturday afternoon. "I think we're doing pretty good.
He said area troops had considered changing the date for the food drive this year because of weather, but officials at SERVE asked them not to because "this is one of their worst times of year" for donations.
"(Our drive) helps them get through (the end of winter)," Loftus said. "With the economy now, we realize they really need it."
Lindner, who said this was the first year he participated in Scouting for Food, said area residents who were not at home or near a collection site Saturday still should consider making a donation to SERVE.
"You should give food so you can feel good about yourself and so you know people out there won't be poor," Lindner said.