Every year the Girl Scouts of Northeast New York (GSNENY) offers a Council-wide service project that is tied directly to the “Sweets and Treats” Fall Fundraising Program. This year the Council is focused on wiping out hunger by donating to the Averill Park High School and Middle School food pantries.
Sometimes there’s more to Girl Scouts than selling — and eating — those delicious cookies. Scouts in GSNENY Service Unit 151, Troop 1580 (Averill Park, NY) wanted to organize a Service Unit-Wide Service Project.
Girls in the entire service unit (approximately 160 scouts, ranging from Daisys to Cadettes) could donate at one event and Troop 1580 would accept the donations, record each girl’s name, troop number and goods donated to earn a patch sponsored by the Council, and donate the goods to APHS and Algonquin Middle School.
Both schools rely on outside funding and community donations to operate backpack programs right in each school. They also offer in-school support for students who need a snack. The collected items have been distributed to the schools, which will help those enrolled in the backpack program and support the schools’ individual and community drives for the upcoming holiday season.
Beyond the giving, Troop 1580 has plans to meet with the food pantry directors from each school to gain a better understanding of their needs and how to fill them.
“This is a service project that has a direct impact on the girls and how they can change a community-wide problem with a simple individual act. It is one example of teaching the girls how to harness their powers to do greater good in their community and in the world. This is powerful and empowering.” said Tiffanie Fedorowicz, parent and Assistant Leader of Troop 1580.
