Courtesy Photo - Front Row: Makenna Boothe, Ainsley MacIntosh, Lily Pruett, Cory Smothermon, Mica Alvarez. Back Row: Valli Carman, Hailey Lev, River Carlson, Lilly Nissell, Noelia MacIntosh, Emerald Alvarez, Sasha Tully, Carice Henrie. Not Pictured: Thuja
The pandemic is stretching on and food insecurity is growing greater in Pacific County. One group of local girls have responded to this call. Girl Scout Troop 41175, which serves the communities of Raymond and South Bend, is running a COVID Relief Food Drive to support the North Pacific County Food Bank in October.
"We are a volunteer-run nonprofit organization working with girls from kindergarten to 4th grade," said Troop Leader Kandice Caldwell. "Girl Scouts has been around for over 100 years and has more than 2.7 million members and our troop joined the ranks in early 2021."
Herald: What is the goal in the number of food items or pounds collected for the food drive?
Caldwell: Our goal is to collect one item from each student in the Raymond School district, about 500 meals! Plus, 100 items at each of our three in-person collection dates. Just think, 800 meals in October which wouldn't have been donated otherwise. Kids really have the power to do good in our community, and when we all work together with compassion we can really make a difference to ease the suffering of those around us.
Herald: How are the girls going to achieve that goal?
Caldwell: The Girl Scouts have been working for two weeks on attractive, bright signage for our collection sites and booth. Raymond School District is supporting the food drive and if you have a student or friend associated with the schools you can send your donation to one of the two collection sites there. We'll be outside of Thriftway Tuesday October 5, Wednesday October 13, and Thursday October 21 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to collect donations from community members.
Herald: If someone wanted to donate, but could not make it to Thriftway on your dates, how do they contact the troop?
Caldwell: If you would like to donate but cannot make it to a food drive collection donation site during the month of October, please email us (Troop41175@gmail.com) and we can arrange a pick-up. In addition, the NPC Foodbank is always open for donations on Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Herald: What are some of the group's goals for the rest of the year?
Caldwell: We are focused on community service projects for the remainder of 2021. In October we are focusing on our COVID Relief Food Drive for the North Pacific County Food Bank and are simultaneously collecting donations for Nurse COVID Relief Baskets which we will deliver to Willapa Harbor Hospital in South Bend in November. In December we are going to make a holiday bundle for Willapa Harbor Care Center.
The girls also meet for monthly rain-or-shine Unity Hikes, and work on badges from home. In October our Daisies will be earning a Jewelry Making patch, our Brownies will be earning a Pets badge, and our Juniors will earn their Simple Meals badge.
During the month of November we are running a Holiday Swag Fundraiser. We'll be pre-selling 100 door swags at $20 each to friends and neighbors to earn money for badges, fun, and next summer's Girl Scout Camp! Consider supporting Troop 41175 so that we can continue to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. And they will be selling delicious girl scout cookies starting in early 2022!
Herald: How do girls who are interested join the troop?
Caldwell: Troop 41175 has five membership slots open and we are actively recruiting 4th grade Juniors. To learn more about Girl Scouts of Western Washington visit https://www.girlscoutsww.org. If you qualify for free lunch you also qualify for a full membership grant for both the Girl Scout and a parent.
Email Troop41175@gmail.com for details on how to join our troop through the grant process and leaders Kandice Caldwell and Josie Mikita-Alvarez will assist you.