Larchmont Cubs Collect the Most Cans in Scout Food Drive

by Judy Silberstein

(November 20, 2007) Late last month, Larchmont’s Cub Scout Pack 33 fanned out through the community, going door-to-door to collect food for needy Westchester families. They joined Cub and Boy Scouts throughout Westchester and Putnam and contributed to the collection of around 19,000 pounds of canned food.  

Cub Scouts Matthew Lehman, Jason Cappo and David Lehman with the more than 1,300 cans of food Pack 33 collected and dropped off at the Chatsworth Avenue Commerce Bank in Larchmont.

Last week, the local scouts learned that they had collected the most food of any pack in the council. The group will be honored at an upcoming executive meeting of the council and will receive a free weekend of cabin camping at the Clear Lake/Durland Scout reservation in Putnam valley, reported Stephen Lehman, a Pack 33 leader. “It’s a wonderful recognition for our kids and all their hard work,” said Mr. Lehman.  

Earning the first prize required a major effort for the young scouts. “Each participating boy in Pack 33 collected an average of 50% more food than last year,” said Mr. Lehman. And last year's effort had been a big one, with over 300 bags of food contributed. (See: Larchmont Cub Scouts "Pack" Up 300 Food Bags For Needy.)

This year's grand total for the pack came to over 1,300 cans, which they dropped off at the Chatsworth Avenue branch of Commerce Bank, the sponsor of the event throughout Westchester and Putnam. “The team at Commerce Bank was extremely helpful in making this a success,” said Mr. Lehman.

Pack 33 does have an advantage over similar groups. It is one of the largest packs in the council, with over 70 active Cub Scouts in grades 1 though 5 and more than 20 active adult leaders.

“This is always one of the highlights of our year,” said Bill Quinn, the pack’s Scouting for Food coordinator “It is great to see our Cub Scouts doing their best to help needy families in the area.”

All of the food collected by the various Scout groups was donated to Westchester County Food-PATCH, which collects donations from the public and private sector and then distributes the food through more than 200 local agencies to meet the needs of individuals and families.

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