Scouting for Food: A Tradition of Compassion
Every fall, Scouts across the Greater Colorado Council come together for something truly meaningful—Scouting for Food, our largest and most heartfelt community service project of the year. Over two weekends, Scouts visit neighborhoods with a simple but powerful mission: to help feed families in need.
With every can collected and every bag delivered, our Scouts are doing more than gathering food—they’re delivering hope, dignity, and a reminder that kindness still lives next door.
Important Dates
- Friday, October 16 — Unit registration and door hanger orders due – Register Now
- October 15-30 — Units pick up door hangers at the Council office or coordinate with John Beattie or Alberto Rodriguez
- Saturday 31st and Sunday, November 1 — Primary hanger distribution day in the community
- Thursday, November 5 – Confirm your unit’s drop-off pantry dates and hours. If you don’t have one, we recommend visiting Food Bank of the Rockies to find a location near you.
- Saturday, November 7 and/or Sunday, November 8 — Recommended food collection start: 8:30 am. Remember to coordinate delivery to your food bank drop-off site based on their schedule, as some pantries may not open on Saturdays or Sundays.
- Saturday, November 14 — Report the amount of food collected-Report Results Here and email us pictures! alberto.rodriguez@scouting.org
Why It Matters in Colorado
Hunger touches every corner of our beautiful state. Right now:
- 1 in 8 Coloradans—including 1 in 6 children—face food insecurity.
- Nearly half (48%) of Coloradans experiencing food insecurity don’t qualify for SNAP or other federal nutrition programs. That’s roughly 350,000 neighbors who depend on local food drives like this one.
- On Colorado’s Western Slope, child hunger has risen 23% in a single year. 1 in 5 children there now face hunger.
- Across the state, Colorado’s food banks distribute 149 million pounds of food each year to roughly 1 million Coloradans.
From the plains to the peaks, hunger is a quiet crisis—but together, we can be the difference.
A Legacy of Service
Scouting for Food began with one Scout’s idea in St. Louis in 1985. Just three years later, it became a national movement. Today, Packs, Troops, and Crews across America carry on this tradition—collecting food, raising awareness, and showing what it means to serve with heart.
In Colorado, where the need is great and the spirit of giving is even greater, Scouting for Food is more than a project—it’s a promise. A promise that no neighbor is forgotten. No child goes to bed hungry. And no act of kindness is ever too small.
Where to Deliver Your Food
Most units deliver to Food Bank of the Rockies but can deliver to the food pantry of their choice.
Scouting for Food Contacts & Support Team
Council SFF Coordinator: John Beattie — jvbeatt@gmail.com — 720.448.6313
Council Staff Advisor: Alberto Rodriguez — alberto.rodriguez@scouting.org — 720.266.2237
