Westwood Cub Scouts, Food Pantry Team Up For Food Drive Nov. 20

WESTWOOD, MA - After a year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Westwood Cub Scout Troops will once again be hosting their annual “Scouting For Food” Drive to benefit the Westwood Food Pantry on Saturday, November 20th. All residents are encouraged to participate in this drive that stocks the Westwood Food Pantry’s shelves for the winter months.

This past weekend, members of the Cub Scouts distributed flyers in their neighborhoods with details about the drive. If you received a flyer at your door and would like to participate, please package up your non-perishable donations and leave them outside your front door by 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20th. Your neighborhood Cub Scout will stop by and pick up your donations on that day.

Westwood Food Pantry board member Maya Plotkin said people tend to be more generous at this time of year.

"I think people reflect on what they are grateful for at this time of year," she said. "It would be great to be able to stock our shelves."

She noted that the financial impact on families from the pandemic, combined with the escalating prices of food because of transportation shortages, have exacerbated the community's needs.

"We always have fabulous support from the Westwood community," Plotkin continued. "People are always trying to help one another, and during the past year and a half, they have been really generous. It's fully due to their generosity that we are able to help others."

People wishing to contribute non-perishable donations personally can do so at the Thurston Middle School cafeteria, located at 850 High St., on Saturday, November 20 between 9 -11 a.m. Volunteers will be on hand to meet you curbside and unload your car.

The Westwood Food Pantry is in most need of canned chicken and white tuna, cake mixes, canned peaches, cookies, cranberry sauce, ramen noodles, soup, saltine crackers, peanut butter, salad dressing, granola bars, cleaning products, and small- to medium- size personal care items such as toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, soap and incontinence pads.

Donations are also always accepted at the bin near the checkout area at Roche Bros. in Westwood and at the Westwood Council On Aging at 60 Nahatan St. on Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and noon.

Finally, monetary donations to the Westwood Food Pantry are 100% tax deductible and are always greatly appreciated! For more information, please visit www.westwoodfoodpantry.org