Parsippany Girl Scouts Fight Hunger During Pandemic

PARSIPPANY, NJ - Parsippany Girl Scout Cadette Troop #95091 created a new and improved food donation drop off bin at the Parsippany ShopRite on Route 46 for their Silver Award.

The idea of a Silver Award is to find a conflict in the community, make a plan/list on ways to solve it and take action. The group, consisting of Avery Crain, Bridget Duffy, Kayla Plotts and Jada Thompson, picked this project because more and more people are losing their jobs and don’t have enough money to support themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The local Parsippany Shoprite already had a donation bin, however, the Troop decided it wasn't very appealing or clear on what it was for, so they partnered with the store manager Frank Sblendorio and ShopRite to give back to the community.

The Troop got approval to remodel the cabinet and make sure people knew what it was for. With the new donation bin, people can buy groceries and donate on the way out to help the community.

During April and May, the troop created a video and social media campaign explaining how multiple people are struggling during this pandemic. From those campaigns 800-1,000 lbs of food were donated towards Interfaith Food Pantry. Fliers were also created to encourage people to give their hams to people in need during Easter.

The troop finished the cabinet right before the holidays in the hopes of helping food pantries that often get very crowded over the holidays. Those who shop at the ShopRite in Parsippany are asked to keep an eye out for the bin as they exit the store, and give if they are able.

Sponsors for the project All Class Glass in East Hanover, Step One Signs in Randolph and Home Depot in Parsippany.

This story is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources and highlights other work to help others. If you know of a local organization or initiative that should be profiled, contact russ.crespolini@patch.com

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