Scene from a past food drive. Courtesy photo
COMMUNITY News:
Local Scouts-BSA are prepared to help the Atomic City Letter Carriers and LA Cares to collect, sort and store donations of food and supplies during the joint Letter Carriers-BSA Food Drive Saturday, Nov. 23. All that is needed is the community’s help.
Surprisingly, even in Los Alamos, which is prosperous community, there are dozens of families, many with young children or elderly, who are food insecure (having limited or uncertain access to food, reduced food intake, and disrupted eating patterns) and need assistance. One in six Americans struggle to get enough healthy food to eat.
What can the community do to help?
While stocking up for the Thanksgiving holiday, buy some extra canned goods and supplies. Then on the morning of Nov. 23, fill a grocery bag (double it for strength) or a box with non-perishable food and other necessities and place it near your mailbox for your Letter Carrier, a Scout, or an adult BSA volunteer to pick it up. Donations will be carefully sorted, stored and distributed by LA Cares over the next six months.
Additionally, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 23, Cub Scouts will be stationed at Smith’s Market Place in Los Alamos and Smith’s Food and Drug Center in White Rock to accept donations.
Out of town during the food drive?
Leave non-perishable food and supply donations year-round at the Aquatic Center during regular business hours.
Need suggestions on what to donate?
Non-perishable foods and supplies: 100 percent apple and grape juice in ½ gal plastic bottles, healthy-low-sugar cereals (e.g. oatmeal), canned fruits and vegetables (all kinds), tomato sauce/paste and pasta sauce, canned meats/fish (other than tuna), canned meals (e.g. chili, beef stew, Chef Boy R Dee), spaghetti/pasta noodles, tuna and chicken helpers, hearty-style soups, other soups (tomato, chicken noodle), baking supplies, cooking oil, sugar, salad dressings, mayonnaise, crackers & nuts, Ensure or Boost drinks, toilet paper, laundry detergent, dishwashing soap, personal and feminine care products.
For kids: juice boxes, granola bars, fruit and pudding cups. Please note that canned tuna, mac & cheese, flour, peanut butter, dried or canned beans and rice are NOT needed at this time.
With all donations, please do not give anything in a glass container.
