Glen Jean, WV (WOAY) – Thousands of scouts arriving at the National Scout Jamboree brought more than camping gear. Each one was required to pack food for West Virginia families.
Scouting America asked every scout and staff member coming onto the Summit Bechtel Reserve to bring at least two non-perishable food items. The effort is part of a program the organization calls Elevate Hunger Relief.
Contingents traveling in from across the country arrived with canned and dry goods packed alongside their tents and equipment. With roughly 15,000 scouts, leaders and staff on site, the donations are headed to food pantries in West Virginia.
Ken Morgan, a member of the National Scout Jamboree registration team, said the giving reflects a longstanding part of scouting, and says the lesson matters as much as the food.
“It’s teaching the scouts that we always want to have a heart of service. We want to give back to others wherever we can and just say thank you to this community that has hosted us for 13 years,” Morgan said.
