Area Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts representing Twin Valley Council will join in the fight against hunger through March 18 during Scouting for Food, one of the largest food collection events in southern Minnesota.

The purpose of the project is to provide the youth members of the Boy Scouts of America an opportunity to better understand the problems of hunger and help them realize they can have an impact and help with community concerns.

Scouts placed door tags throughout neighborhoods on Saturday and then on March 18, Scouts will canvass the same neighborhoods to pick up food donations. Residents should place non-perishable items they wish to donate in a bag outside their door by 9 a.m.

People who did not receive a Scouting for Food notice but would like to contribute may drop off donations on March 18 at the food shelf in their local community. Donations may also be dropped off March 20 at ECHO Food Shelf or the Twin Valley Council office.

The types of food most needed are nutritional, non-perishable food items such as cereal, baby formula, complete package meals and canned goods — including vegetables, fruits, meats and chunky soups.

Food collected by the Scouts outside of the Mankato area will be sorted and distributed to their nearest food shelves. Throughout southern Minnesota, over 1,300 Scouts in the Twin Valley Council will participate. Scouts collected 44,000 pounds of food last year.

The Scouting for Food drive is sponsored by Country Minnesota 93 radio, AgStar Financial Services, CHS, GSM Gag Sheet Metal, WOW!Zone, Twin Valley Council and Boy Scouts of America. Twin Valley Council is a partner agency of the Greater Mankato Area United Way.

In keeping with the values of Scouting, Boy Scouts devote themselves to community service. For more information on scouting, including diversity and specialty programs, visit twinvalleybsa.org.