Scouts gear up for popcorn sales, Scouting for Food

     While COVID-19 unfortunately put a wrench in many people’s, organizations’, and businesses’ plans this year, it didn’t seem to affect Scout BSA Troop 66 and Pack 66 in Monticello.

     Scout Master Jim Reuter said other than taking time off between March and May, the Scouts have still been able to hold meetings and even go camping while practicing social distancing.

     “For a while we held Zoom meetings, and kept in contact via e-mail and Facebook,” Reuter said. “But we’re back to meeting (in-person) now with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.”

     Scouts follow the same guidelines of the schools in terms of wearing face coverings during meetings and events.

     “We try and social distance as much as possible,” noted Reuter. “It’s easy to social distance when we’re outside, spaced out.”

     Pack 66 is working on recruiting more youth (both boys and girls) grades K-5 who are interested in joining Cub Scouts. While Cubs generally take the summer off, their meeting and work schedule typically follows the school year.

     “We lost April and May,” Reuter said, due to COVID-19.

     But now they are up and running again.

     Both Pack 66 and Troop 66 average about 30-35 youth each.

     For the past two years, girls have been able to join Scouts BSA.

     “Our troop and pack both have girls (in them),” shared Reuter. “It started small, but it’s growing slowly, and it’s working well. The girls enjoy being involved.”

     In the midst of recruiting Cub Scouts, they’re also starting their annual popcorn sales. Things will look a little different this year due to COVID-19 rules. The Cubs will provide pre-sales as in the past and also stockpile product to sell at pop-up locations around town. Reuter said they’ll have a few different locations set up on a Saturday and sell popcorn.

     “That will give people an opportunity to drive up and we can hand them product through the window,” offered Reuter. All of the Scouts will be wearing PPE for everyone’s health and safety.

     In addition, the Scouts will be going door-to-door placing door hangers on people’s front doors reminding them to contact their favorite Scout to place a popcorn order.

     “You don’t have to meet face-to-face if that’s an issue,” noted Reuter.

     The popcorn sales event is the only fundraiser the Cub Scouts have every year.

     “All of our money comes from that one fundraiser,” said Reuter.

     By not having the typical Great Jones County Fair this summer, the Boy Scouts missed out on a fundraising opportunity to clean the fairgrounds and usher inside the grandstands during concerts.

     “The fair hires us to do all that work,” said Reuter.

     A couple of smaller service events were also cancelled.

     “The boys lost some opportunities to be seen doing things for others,” Reuter noted.

     Just as Halloween approaches, that means Scouting for Food nears as well. This year it will take place on Saturday, Oct. 10. The Scouts will be handing out bags door-to-door prior to Oct. 10. On that date, they’ll be picking up any bags that are sitting out. All of the donations go directly to the Monticello Food Pantry.

     “We’ve been doing this for at least a decade now,” recalled Reuter of the service project. “It’s an opportunity for the Scouts to go out and physically distribute the bags and pick them up again.”

     Reuter said the Scouts are heavily involved in Scouting for Food when it comes to planning for the event and carrying it out.

     “It’s something for the younger kids to get involved with so they notice the impact it has,” continued Reuter. “Everybody in the community is supportive as well.”

     The food pantry reminds everyone that they are currently in need of paper products and personal hygiene items. If you don’t have food items to donate, you can make a monetary donation to the food pantry as well.

     For details on joining Cub Scouts, popcorn sales, or Scouting for Food, you can contact Reuter.