The Boy Scouts of America are teaming up with Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico, Smith’s Food & Drug Stores, Comcast, and U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman for the annual “Scouting for Food” drive Saturday, Feb. 2 through Saturday, Feb. 9.

Starting Feb. 2, between 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Rio Grande District Cub, Boy and Eagle Scouts will deliver empty Smith’s plastic grocery bags to area homes, requesting the bags be left at the resident’s door filled with canned goods and non-perishable food items on Saturday, Feb. 9 - when the scouts will return to pick them up between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Boy Scouts will then bring the food to several local collection points for donation to Roadrunner Food Bank. 

“Getting food to those in need starts with bringing community members, of all ages, together,” said Melody Wattenbarger, Roadrunner Food Bank Executive Director.  “It’s great to see the Boy Scouts of America helping other, less fortunate children, as well as working families and seniors, who may otherwise go to school or to bed on an empty stomach.” 

Studies show New Mexico is second nationwide in the percentage of people who wonder where their next meal is coming from.  New Mexico is also second in the country for childhood poverty.  Children make up one-third of the population served by Roadrunner Food Bank.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman and Comcast Cable have also stepped in to promote “Scouting for Food” by airing a series of public service announcements encouraging New Mexicans to donate food. 

“During economic downturns like the one we’re currently experiencing, more people turn to food banks to help feed their families,” said Senator Bingaman, an Eagle Scout.  “Roadrunner does a tremendous job helping New Mexicans put food on their tables.  I hope the people of our state will respond generously to the “Scouting for Food” campaign.”