Boy Scout Leads Collection for Simsbury Food Closet

Submitted release

Karl Spooner, a member of Simsbury Boy Scout Troop 175, is running a community project to benefit the Simsbury Food Closet through the end of August, in order to advance to the rank of Eagle Scout. The summer is typically a tough time for Food Closet because of the changes in people’s routines. This is a three-part project that includes door-to-door visits in some locations, a non-perishable food donation day at Fitzgerald’s parking lot, and an Awareness Campaign including various promotions.

In recent months, many news sources nationwide have reported that there is a greater need for assistance from food programs during the summer. In some areas, students get nutritious food through school programs. When summer educational and recreational programs are cut because of reduced budgets, these children need to look elsewhere for nutritious food. Due to the recession, many people are left jobless and cannot afford food. The cost of living in general also continues to rise, which affects people on fixed incomes, as well. Many people are unaware of the assistance programs available to them.

This is not only a national issue, but a local one. Simsbury is not immune to the economic factors that impact the rest of the country. Did you know that there are over 300 families in the Town of Simsbury that rely on the assistance of the Food Closet? Some of our residents have lost their jobs, are on fixed incomes, or are under-employed, making it hard to afford food and other necessities.

To advance to the rank of Eagle, one of the requirements is to run a project that benefits the community. It was surprising to learn that so many families in our town are having a hard time putting good food on the table. The first part of Karl Spooner’s project will be to go door to door in some neighborhoods, and drop off bags with an informational flyer. A week later the bags will be picked up, hopefully full of food donations. Fitzgerald’s has very generously donated the bags. The Food Closet is looking for canned soups, oatmeal, pancake mix, pasta, rice, canned fruit, peanut butter, canned hams, tuna, saltine crackers, tea, and instant coffee. The second part of the project takes place at Fitzgerald’s parking lot on Friday, August 3rd. Karl Spooner is hoping to fill the trailer with donations. Pre-filled bags will be available for purchase and donation on that day. The third part of the project will be to create an awareness campaign with printed lawn signs, news articles, and other promotions.

Most people think about donating to the Food Closet around holidays, but donations are needed every week of the year. During the summer, when many families’ routines change, it is easy to forget that there are still people in our community that need help.