Want to give back to those in need in our community? This weekend is the perfect opportunity to do just that with the annual Scouting for Food project.

Plastic bags were delivered with the Freeborn County Shopper this week to residences in the area, and we encourage people to place nonperishable food items in the bags and then leave the bags outside of your homes on Saturday.

Scouts will travel around the community that day collecting donations, and then they will deliver them to the Ecumenical Food Pantry and the Albert Lea Salvation Army.

In 2015, local Scouts collected 4,286 pounds of food, along with $450 in cash. We encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity to give, particularly during Minnesota Food Share’s March campaign. Based on totals donated to the food pantries this month, pantries can receive a partial grant match that will allow an increase in buying power with the Channel One Food Bank.

Scouting for Food is a project that teaches our area’s young leaders how to serve their community, and we encourage community members to step above and beyond to help them surpass their total from last year.