Be prepared to help Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in Martin County who once again will be “Scouting for Food” to help families in need at the holidays.

On Nov. 5, scouts will go through Martin County neighborhoods, leaving a door hanger that asks residents to donate non-perishable food.

On Nov. 12, residents should put the food items out by their mailbox or front door. On that day, more than 1,000 scouts will collect the food and take it to the Martin County Fairgrounds – the warehouse of the White Doves Holiday Project, which is organized by the United Way Volunteer & Community Resource Center.

“We know that many people have given help for the damage in the Gulf Coast region,” said Mike Baldwin, the district chairman for Scouting for Food. “But please remember that there are many people in our community who are struggling, and this is an easy way to help.”

Suggestions for nonperishable food items include canned vegetables and fruit, soup, rice, beans, pasta, peanut butter and canned meat.

Last year, the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in Martin County collected more than 25,000 pounds of food. That food was distributed through the White Doves Holiday Project, which also teams with the Marine Corps Reserves’ Toys for Tots program. The project served about 1,300 families last year – including more than 3,000 children – with toys and a holiday meal.

“White Doves is truly a great group,” Baldwin said. “They raise food and toys to help people that really need some happiness.”

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

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