Great Falls Council, Scouting America teams with Tops to hold 'Scouting for Food' drive

Tops Friendly Markets Press Release

Tops Friendly Markets and Great Falls Council, Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America), have teamed up to help alleviate food insecurity in 14 counties from Western to South and Central New York and Central Pennsylvania ahead of the upcoming Passover and Easter season.

The annual “Scouting for Food” drive is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, when Scouting youth and adult volunteers will be present at several Tops Friendly Market stores throughout Erie and Niagara counties and in neighborhoods throughout the Great Falls Council service area to collect donations for the annual food drive. Area food banks encourage donations of canned meats, canned vegetables, pasta, rice and personal hygiene products to restock their supplies ahead of the upcoming holidays.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Tops Friendly Markets to help restock the shelves at community food banks,” said Gary Decker, CEO of Great Falls Council. “Scouting for Food has a positive impact on food banks and on our Scouts, who learn what it means to serve their community and make a difference for their neighbors in need. We appreciate everyone’s efforts to make this food drive possible.”

Activities will kick off March 29, when area Scouting groups will distribute flyers in their local neighborhoods to announce the food drive and collection date. Then, on April 5, the groups will return to their neighborhoods to collect nonperishable food donations, which they will then donate to their community food banks and pantries.

Meanwhile, other Scouting groups will be in the Tops locations listed below to encourage and collect donations from generous store shoppers.

√ 906 Center St., Lewiston, 9 a.m. to noon and noon-3 p.m.

√ 2351 Maple Road, Amherst (corner of Maple/Transit), 9 a.m. to noon

√ 890 Young St., Tonawanda, 9 a.m. to noon and noon-3 p.m.

√ 301 Meadow Drive, North Tonawanda, 9 a.m. to noon and noon-3 p.m.

√ 3201 Southwestern Blvd., Orchard Park, noon-3 p.m.

√ 5827 S. Transit Road, Lockport, 9 a.m. to noon

√ 7134 Rochester Road, Lockport, 9 a.m. to noon

√ 2140 Grand Island Blvd., Grand Island, 9 a.m. to noon

√ 2956 Saunders Settlement Road, Sanborn, 9 a.m. to noon

√ 150 Niagara St., Buffalo, noon-3 p.m.

√ 2101 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, 9 a.m. to noon

Great Falls Council currently serves more than 5,000 youth in Western New York and the Twin Tiers of New York and Pennsylvania with youth-development programs that foster children's leadership, character, citizenship and well-being through indoor and outdoor programs. More than 300 groups (think Cub Scouts and Scout Troops) meet in person weekly or bimonthly and learn new things while having fun together. These groups are always open to anyone who’s interested in learning more. For more information about Scouting or to find a nearby group, visit www.BeAScout.org or call 716-891-4073.