Boy scouts and cub scouts will once again be “Scouting for Food” this November to help families in need during the holidays.

Hundreds of boy scouts and cub scouts will spread throughout Martin County neighborhoods Nov. 1 leaving doorknob hangers requesting residents to donate non-perishable food.

The scouts will return Nov. 8 to collect the food, at which time residents should put food items by their mailbox, front door or other designated area, such as a clubhouse or community gate.

The scouts will take the food to the White Doves Holiday Project warehouse at the Martin County Fairgrounds.

“We couldn’t do it without the scouts,” said Anne Lalley, project coordinator for Martin Volunteers, the United Way program that organizes the White Doves Holiday Project. “Their food drive helps us supply about 1,400 families with the staples for a holiday meal.”

Last year, the Scouting for Food Drive collected more than 20,000 pounds of food in Martin County 17,000 pounds, which was distributed through the White Doves Holiday Project and 3,000 for other groups that asked.

“White Doves is truly a great group,” Scouting for Food Sailfish District Chairman Mike Baldwin said. “They raise food and toys to help people that really need some happiness.”

Suggestions for non-perishable food items include: canned vegetables and fruit, soup, rice, beans, pasta, boxed potatoes, peanut butter and canned meat.

To increase the amount of food collected this year, the scouts want to get more churches, communities and schools involved to conduct food drives. To get involved in a Scouting for Food Drive, call Mike Baldwin (561) 747-4227.

The Sailfish District is part of the Gulf Stream Council, Boy Scouts of America.  For more information about scouting activities in Martin County or to find a unit nearby, visit www.sailfishdistrict.org or www.gulfstreamcouncil.org.

For more information about White Doves, call (772) 220-4472 or visit www.martinvolunteers.org/whitedoves.