Scouting for food makes big impact in Great Falls

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Eydie Sakura
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Cub Scout Pack 43 from Malmstrom collected roughly 950 pounds of non-perishable food items for the Great Falls Food Bank March 21; that's nearly half of the total amount collected during the 15th Annual Boy Scouts of America Food Drive which was more than 2,000 pounds. 

"The [Cub Scouts] have to do one community service act each month," said Tech. Sgt. John Cottle, 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron and Pack Leader. "For their participation in the food drive, they receive a patch and the Pack received a participation banner which we add to our flag staff." 

The 11 Cub Scouts on base, plus their parents and Airmen volunteers, distributed 500 bags to houses on base March 14 and collected the donations the following weekend. 

When asked why the Cub Scouts participate in this annual event, Cameron, 8, said it was to help people that do not have food, and he got to run and eat cookies someone gave them for working the food drive. 

"[It's] the excitement of running to the door of a house that had a bag of food waiting to be picked up," said Joe, 8. "Cub Scouts do good things, and I'm a Cub Scout."

Bryer, 8, said he liked doing the food drive because it helped the homeless and he enjoyed seeing all the food the Scouts collected.

The Air Force Sergeants Association coupled with the Airman Leadership School Class 09-D to do their part in fostering community relations within Great Falls. 

"AFSA is always looking for opportunities to get involved in the local community," said Master Sgt. Nickie Maggard, 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron first sergeant and AFSA vice-president. "We had more than 50 volunteers from base dropping off bags or picking up donated food over the past two weekends. The people of Great Falls donated much more than we anticipated, but our volunteers handled it all in stride. Great Falls is a great community and AFSA was proud to be able to assist in what turned out to be an outstanding event." 

Make a difference in the community
The Cub Scouts are open to boys, ages 7-10, and adult volunteer Den Leaders and committee members are always needed. Upcoming activities include the state-wide Pinewood Derby race April 18; the first Camporee for 2009 is May 15-17; Scout day camp is June 23-26; and the Scout registration baseball game is Aug. 8. 

To learn more about the Cub Scouts at Malmstrom, visit their Web site at www.joincubscouting.org or call 761-6000 (listed as Pack 4043). 

To learn more about AFSA, visit www.afsahq.org or call Master Sgt. Tim Hezel at 731-4766.