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Rochester, NY (March 12) – The Seneca Waterways Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of Western New York and Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI)-Goodwill will join forces again this year to launch the 2010 Scouting for Food and Clothing drive.

After holding this campaign in Monroe County for 22 successful years, the program will expand into Wayne and Ontario Counties this year as a result of the scouting programs merger last year. This increased collection area makes this donation drive even more critical. The Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, ABVI-Goodwill and other community organizations will be out in force, with more than 12,000 volunteers to help make a difference in hundreds of thousands of lives locally.

“The annual Scouting for Food and Clothing drive is one of the single largest community projects done by any organization in the Greater Rochester are,” says Barbara James, Chairperson of Scouting for Food and Clothing. “ The economy continues to challenge more and more families in our area, and our local food pantries have seen the number of families using their services continue to increase. Scouting for Food and Clothing is a very simple way for all of us to do our part to help our neighbors. Donate all you can. The Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and ABVI-Goodwill will make sure all of the donations directly benefit those most in need.”

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2010, Scouts will span out in select neighborhoods throughout Monroe, Ontario and Wayne Counties distributing the familiar food and clothing collection bags to residences throughout the community.

The goal is to collect non-perishable food and gently used clothing so that those items can be directed where they will do the most good.  The 85-100 tons of food will help stock more than 80 local food cupboards and kitchens.  The 100 tons of clothing will be sold at ABVI-Goodwill retail centers to support programs, services and jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired.

“This event has been so important to residents of Monroe County and we are proud to be able to move into Ontario and Wayne counties this year for the first time,” said A. Gidget Hopf, Ed.D, President and CEO of ABVI-Goodwill. “The need in all three counties is greater this year, and we appreciate the continued support of the entire community.”

For 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America have halped their local communities and for 22 years, the local Boy Scouts have collected food for needy families in Monroe County. Twelve years ago, the Girl Scouts joined in this community effort, and in 2004, ABVI-Goodwill joined the program when it expanded to clothing and food.

Once the collection bags are distributed on Saturday, March 20, residents are asked to fill them during the week and prepare them for pick up by the Scouts beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 27. Additionally, collection barrels will be available in all Rochester-area Wendy’s restaurants and Goodwill stores from March 28-April 4 for anyone who wishes to make a donation.

Quick Facts:
Saturday, March 20, 9:00 a.m. Scouts and adult volunteers begin distribution of food and clothing collection bags.
Saturday, March 27, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Collection of bags containing food and clothing begins, with scout troops delivering them to numerous collection sites throughout Monroe, Ontario and Wayne Counties.

Thank you to our presenting sponsors:    

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The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI)-Goodwill Industries of Greater Rochester, Inc., founded in 1911, has a mission to prepare and empower people who are blind or visually impaired to be self-sufficient and contribute to their families and communities.  Through a variety of entrepreneurial business initiatives, including manufacturing, call center, food service and Goodwill retail operations, the agency is able to support this mission and provide programs, services, career training, and employment opportunities to people who are blind or visually impaired or have other barriers to employment or independence.