November 5, 2016 ~ Information Distribution November 12, 2016 ~ Food Collection

Guide for

District and Unit Coordinators

The Gulf Stream Council proudly supports these beneficiaries and others

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Letter from Council Activities Chairman ···························· 3 District Scouting for Food Chairman Responsibilities ············ 4 2016 Collection Goals ·················································· 5 Collection Center Chairman Responsibilities ······················· 6 Territory / Landrush Scope ············································· 7 Unit Coordinator Responsibilities ····································· 8 Unit Mechanics ·························································· 9

Unit Collection Tips ................ 10 Alternative Collection Methods .................................... 11 Sample Collection Bag ............ 12 Report / Forms .................... 13-16 Unit Participation

Commitment Unit Collection Report Collection Center Report District Totals Collection

Report

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May 1, 2016 Dear Fellow Scouters: I hope this letter finds you in good health and ready for this year’s most important Journey to Excellence Scouting event. We begin the Scouting for Food 2016 collection drive on November 5th, 2016, with the distribution customized bags throughout local neighborhoods. These specially designed plastic bags (see art sample – page 11) will inform the public of the types of food needed and where to place the donated food bags for the collection. We will collect bagged food on November 12th, 2016, and turn in to collection centers throughout the council area. Last year our scouts collected roughly than 68,000 pounds of food which was provided to local families. This year, more than ever, our local agencies and communities are in need of our help. So our goal for this year is to collect 150,000 pounds of food—nearly thrice the amount because the need is so great. In return, if you are able to make your goal, your unit will be able to earn a FREE weekend of camping at either Tanah Keeta Scout Reservation or the beautiful Camp Oklawaha. (Please note: this does not apply to district or council camping events.) In addition, in order to help attain that goal, we are offering alternate dates in March of 2017 for collection. I cannot put into words the appreciation our communities have expressed for your effort and generosity. This Good Turn, in my opinion, is the heart of what Scouting teaches our youth, the responsibility to help others. On November 12th, our Scouting for Food Advisor, Kelsey Cupples, and I will visit a few of the collection centers to thank the scouts and volunteers. Safety has always been the Boy Scouts of America’s #1 Priority. During your Scouting for Food Drop Off and Collection days, please remember: Obey all traffic safety guidelines. Make sure Scouts look both ways before crossing roads. Use the buddy system. Always make sure to have two deep leadership. Remember that riding in the back of a pick-up truck is NEVER allowed. We greatly appreciate your humanitarian efforts. It is important that scouts realize their Good Turn provides local families with a gift that will be greatly treasured and remembered for their effort to help those most in need. I know our scouts will “Do Their Best” and make this year a great success. Thank you for your personal involvement in this most important project.

Karen G. Helstrom Karen Helstrom Council Activities Chair Gulf Stream Council

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Accept responsibilities for your district's successful participation in Scouting For Food. Secure the following (if not already completed):

Drop off locations to receive collected food on November 12, 2016 District Scouting For Food headquarters for communication on November 12, 2016

Secure commitment of packs, troops, teams, crews and ships. Use the Scouting For Food

Unit Participation Commitment Form (copy included). Recruit an adequate number of adults to direct and staff collection centers. Provide district briefing meeting during roundtables to give information, bags, and

assignment of collection territory to units. Territory may be pre-assigned or "staked out" on a "Landrush" map.

Coordinate distribution of bags and instruction cards to units. Provide briefing meeting to collection center captains. Provide copies of Unit Collection

Report and Collection Center Report for each collection center. Work with and support volunteers at collection centers on November 12.

Consolidate information from collection centers.

Complete the District Collection Report

(copy included) and email to thelstrom@aol.com and call (561) 255-0890 and report the district's total figure to the council Scouting for Food representative.

Provide appropriate recognition. Be sure

to include collection center captains, staff and participating units.

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DISTRICT 2016 GOAL

Everglades South and Central Palm Beach County

37,500

Treasure Coast St. Lucie County

25,000

Indian River Indian River County

20,000

Big Lake Belle Glade, Clewiston, Okeechobee

5,000

Lighthouse Central and Northern Palm Beach County

37,500

Sailfish Martin County

25,000

TOTAL 150,000

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Accept responsibilities for each collections center's successful participation in Scouting For Food. Recruit an adequate number of adults to staff each collection center. Provide briefing to collection center staff. Secure copies of Unit Collection Report and Collection Center Report for each collection center. Secure supplies needed for collection center: boxes, masking tape, markers, large trash bags, note

pad, and pencils. Work with and support units and staff at collection centers on November 12th. As food is dropped off, record the number of items delivered by each unit and estimated pounds. Secure the unit's Unit Collection Report for the additional required information. Load bags, as required, for transportation to the community organization that will distribute the

food. Consolidate information from units. Complete the Collection Center Report (copy included) and call your district's Scouting For Food

headquarters with total figures. Be sure all units have reported in and collection center is clean before leaving area. Work with your Scouting For Food Chairman to provide appropriate recognition. Be sure to

include collection center staff and participating units.

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TERRITORY ASSIGNMENTS

Pack, troop, team, crew or ship territory assignments may be assigned by the Scouting for Food Committee or determined by a "Landrush" at the October roundtable. If assignments are made prior to the October roundtable, history of the previous year’s assignments and changes in unit leadership and members should be taken into consideration. The reasons for assigning territory are the same regardless of the method used.

LANDRUSH

Each Unit will be asked to cover a designated area on Saturday, November 5th and again on Saturday, November 12th. Units should try to choose an area in or near their neighborhood. To avoid duplication and ensure maximum coverage, a Good Turn Landrush will be held at Oc-tober roundtables in each district.

A large map of the district will be on display. The map will be divided into neighborhoods or quadrants. A representative of each unit will be able to pick the neighborhood or quadrant the

unit prefers. After each unit has had a chance to pick an area, the District Scouting For Food

Committee will review and give final approval. Please note: a few adjustments may be needed.

Units should record territory in detail to ensure all neighborhoods are covered.

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UNIT COORDINATOR

RESPONSIBILITIES Accept responsibilities for successful participation of the unit in its assigned part of the Good Turn.

Secure commitment of unit leadership and make an official unit commitment.

Secure adults with vehicles to assist scouts

as they collect food from door-to-door or the Collection Day.

Attend district briefing meeting during

roundtables to secure information, collection bags, instruction cards and assignment of collection territory of unit. Your territory may be pre-assigned or “staked out” at the “Landrush” map.

Coordinate distribution of collection bags by

youth members to households in assigned territory.

Arrange for collection of filled bags in same assigned territory one week later and delivery of filled bags to collection centers. Work with and support volunteers at collection centers in unloading and counting items collected. Complete the Unit Collection Report and turn in at the collection center.

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UNIT MECHANICS

All units should know their assigned territory.

All members—both youth and adult— should be in uniform.

Determine an assembly place and time for November 5th and November 12th. (You can use your regular unit meeting place or another convenient location.)

On Saturday, November 5, 2016:

Collection bags should be distributed beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Assemble at meeting place early enough to brief adults and distribute bags.

All boys should travel in groups of two— use the buddy system.

Vehicles should stay as close to the boys as possible. It is advisable for adults to be on the streets. BSA policy states that no one (youth or adult) shall ride in the back of a pick up truck.

Take pictures of your scouts as they do this service. Submit them to bsagsc@scouting.org for publishing on the website and use in the program guide. Write a short article and submit it to the local newspaper to get your scouts in the spotlight!

Have a plan to remind boys and adults during the week of November 9th about the November 12th collection.

On Saturday, November 12th:

Food must be collected beginning no earlier than 8:00 a.m. in the same area you distributed collection bags.

Assemble at your meeting place and review plans for the day.

If there is no bag at the door, you may ring the bell or knock; but if no answer, go to the next house.

DO NOT ENTER ANY HOMES!!

Volunteers will be at collection centers to assist in unloading and counting collected items. Please make sure that your paperwork is complete to turn in regarding participation so that you can earn your free camping weekend!

Again, take pictures of your Scouts during the collection. Write a short article and submit to the local newspaper to get your scouts in the spotlight! Or submit them to bsagsc@scouting.org for publishing on the website and use in the program guide.

Unit follow up — Units may wish to take the time after Scouting For Food to complete one or more of the following project ideas:

Spend a few minutes at the unit meeting discussing the boys’ impressions of this Good Turn for America. Relate Scouting For Food to the Scout Oath, Law and motto.

Have your scouts take plenty of action photographs of individuals or the whole unit. Make a picture display of what your unit has done. Send pictures and a short article to bsagsc@scouting.org for promotion on the council website and to local newspapers.

Your unit may develop a skit describing participation in Scouting For Food which might be part of your next meeting. Film it and forward to the local media and bsagsc@scouting.org.

Plan to participate in the Spring Scouting for Food Drive.

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UNIT COLLECTION TIPS Work only your assigned territory. Be sure that boys are in uniform and travel in groups of two or more and are adequately

supervised. On boundary streets, collect only on your side of the street unless you are given other

instructions. Skip apartments with no solicitation rules or controlled access, and businesses.

Collection bags should be distributed beginning at 9:00 am on November 5th. When delivering collection bags, fasten them to the door

knob or handle. Do not place them on or in the mail box. Food should be collected on Saturday, November 12th, from the same area you distributed the collection bags. When collecting donations on November 12th, if nothing is left

on the doorstep or porch, ask your boys to knock on the door to see if the household has a donation.

Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts should be instructed to remain outside homes. DO NOT enter

any homes to pick-up food. Be certain that all houses have been covered on Collection Day. Have a couple of leaders

drive through the neighborhoods after the boys have finished to pick up any stray bags of food. This is very important as we do not want donators to think we do not follow through with our requests.

Turn in your collected food bags at the designated

food collection centers between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, call your District

Scouting for Food headquarters.

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ALTERNATIVE COLLECTION METHODS Have your Scouts bring food donations to the meeting. Ask your charter partner if you can put collection boxes out to do collections in the time prior to the turn-in. Do an activity at a local park and have parents and Scouts bring food to be donated. Offer a car wash, pet wash or other service and have the payment include a donated food item. Have a competition among the Scouts for who collects the most food prior to the turn in date. Have a “carnival” and have the tickets be non-perishable food items to play. Have a Bike Rodeo, 5K or other athletic activity. Admittance includes donations for Scouting For Food.

Remember, the objective is collect food, providing for those less fortunate. Together, we make a

difference. That doesn’t mean you can’t have fun

while doing it. For more ideas, contact

Karen Helstrom at thelstrom@aol.com

Thank you for making a

difference!

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please help fill the food banks in our area with nutritious, non-perishable food

items such as canned meats, vegetables, soups and peanut butter.

Please place bagged food items outside in a

visible location.

Scouts will start collecting filled bags from

8 a.m.—10 a.m. Next Saturday

Thank you for your support

Scouting for Food not only provides items

for local food banks, but offers an opportunity

for scouts to become involved in community

service. It is the largest door-to-door food col-

lection effort in our seven counties. Thousands

of scouts are expected to participate in this

year’s Scouting for Food drive. Won’t you

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This year, register your Scouting for Food Chair by September 1, 2016 with your district, and meet your unit goal (based on number of scouts in unit x 50 pounds of food)

to qualify for a FREE WEEKEND of CAMPING

Please fill out the commitment form below and return it to your district's Scouting for Food Chairman or your District Executive. Thank you.

NOTICES DISTRIBUTED November 5th, 2016 and / or March 25th, 2017

Deliver bags to the home in your community as designated by the District Scouting For Food Chair

BAGS COLLECTED November 12th, 2016 and / or April 1, 2017

Pick up the donations from the homes where you delivered bags

Deliver collections and reports to the designated location supplied by District Scouting for Food Chair.

Name:

Email Address

Phone (cell / home)

UNIT #: PACK TROOP TEAM CREW SHIP

SCOUTING FOR FOOD UNIT PARTICIPATION COMMITMENT DISTRICT: ________________________________________________________

UNIT SCOUTING FOR FOOD CHAIRMAN

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SCOUTING FOR FOOD UNIT COLLECTION REPORT

PARTICIPATION

Number of Scouts ________________ Number of Adults ________________

We are proud to report that we are delivering ____________ pounds of food. Signed (Unit Coordinator) _______________________________________ Signed (Unit Leader) _______________________________________ Date:_________________________ Use this area for calculations:

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SCOUTING FOR FOOD

COLLECTION CENTER REPORT DISTRICT __________________________________________ PAGE # __________ COLLECTION CENTER ________________________________________________________

UNIT

# OF SCOUTS # OF ADULTS # OF POUNDS

TOTALS

As you are closing your collection center, call the center’s total figures to your district Scouting for Food headquarters.

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SCOUTING FOR FOOD DISTRICT COLLECTION REPORT

DISTRICT: _________________________________

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION RECEIVING FOOD

# OF POUNDS

COLLECTION CENTER

TOTAL # OF UNITS

TOTAL # OF SCOUTS

TOTAL # OF ADULTS

TOTAL # OF POUNDS

DISTRICT TOTALS

As you are closing your collection center, call the center’s total figures to your district Scouting for Food headquarters.