Boy Scouts Hold Annual Food Drive; Spaghetti Dinner Wednesday

The annual Boy and Cub Scouts Food Drive this weekend raised more than two tons of food for area food pantries and other charitable organizations.

Velena Foster, a committee chairperson for the food drive, said they were close to the 5,200 pounds of food raised last year. Foster said they usually get at least 4,000 pounds each year, although weather and other factors can affect the turnout.

“It’s one of our favorite events,” she said.

The boxes stretched to more than six-feet high in the North Station firehouse, as scouts shuffled in and out.

The food is distributed to a variety of local and state charities. This year, the chief beneificiaries are the Johnnycake Center, the Galilee Mission, the Pier School for its holiday baskets and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

Gary Tudino, the leader for Troop 1 Narragansett, said about 30 Boy and Cub scouts helped with this year’s food drive. He said they’ve always gotten a good response from the community.

“When you see that bag on the doorknob, it’s exciting,” he said.

He noted that it’s a good bonding experience for him and his son, Ryan.

“I loved doing the pick-ups with my son,” he said. “We drive around and pick-up all the bags.”

Spaghetti Dinner This Week; New Members Welcome

The food drive isn’t the only fun the scouts are having this week. The annual spaghetti dinner is 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Elks Club on Belmont Avenue in Wakefield.

The last supper (okay, pardon the pun, serving) is at 8 p.m. Dessert, soda and coffee are also available, and there will be a raffle and other activities.

The cost is $10 per person, with discounts for multiple tickets – $30 for four, $35 for five and $40 for six.

For tickets, contact any Boy Scout member, or e-mail CJ Tudino at cjtudino@cox.net.

Gary Tudino also said that the scouts are always willing to accept new members. They meet from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Narragansett Community Center.