Fulton and Mokane Cub and Boy Scouts have set a substantial goal for their annual food drive to benefit SERVE, Inc.
The scouts hope to collect 10,000 pounds worth of food on March 1 at three locations: Moser's, Walmart and C&R Market. Scouts will take food or monetary donations 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cub Scout Packs 50 and 53 as well as Boy Scout Packs 50, 52, 55 and 255 will be volunteering March 1.
Last year, scouts distributed 8,300 pounds of food to the non-profit organization, according to Scout Gibson, an eight-year leader with Boy Scouts.
This particular food drive helps keep pantry shelves stocked, said SERVE's Community Action Network Director Julie Roark, during the end of winter and early spring. As donations from the holiday season dwindle, Roark said SERVE sees a "lull" this time of the year.
Roark added that SERVE helps feed between 1,000 and 1,100 families every month, and the 10,000 pounds scouts could potentially collect will help the organization throughout a month's time. SERVE gives out about 45,000 pounds in a month, Roark said.
The Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri provides foods like cereal, pasta and crackers to SERVE, and Roark said canned vegetables, fruits and meats are hard to come by.
For those wanting to donate, Roark said SERVE is in need of items that can easily be made into a meal such as canned soups, canned meat like tuna and chicken, peanut butter and jelly and macoroni and cheese.
"Those items are well received and frequently asked for," she said.
Gibson said scouts will also hand out wish lists to people walking into stores so they can remember what's most needed.
Once items are collected, the scouts will head to the scout cabin on Eighth Street to sort the food.
Gibson said through the food drive, scouts learn the value of giving back to the community and helping the less fortunate while staying true to a Boy Scout motto: "Do a good turn daily."