Scouts hold annual soup kitchen
Published 8:23 am Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Participating in the annual soup kitchen were from left: Mattilyn Mack, Alexus Brooks, Gracie James, Isabella Morris, Brittany Luttrell, Pamlea Bullard, Sammie Bullard, all members Seminary Girl Scout Troop 6531 and Wesley Thrash, Boy Scout Troop 446, also of Seminary and Patt Ellis.
Pictured from left: Lydia James, Michael Mack, Angela Mack, Matthew Mack, April Mauldin, Jaycee Mauldin and Jaxson Mauldin. Pictured in front is Marissa Mack.
The Jefferson Davis and Covington County Girl and Boy Scouts hosted their 8th annual soup kitchen Jan. 17. Scouts participated in a day of service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., in Seminary. This is the only federal holiday that is also designated by Congress as a National Day of Service, a “day on, not a day off.”
Scouts and their families helped to prepare to-go boxes that included a choice of hamburgers or hotdogs, chips, snack cakes, cookies and a variety of soups and drinks. Scouts realized years ago that after the holiday season many families find their food pantry and shelves rather low, trying to recuperate after all the large family meals. That is when they took a simple community project and made it a true ongoing project. The scouts look forward every year seeing some of the same people that come through, as well as the new faces. Originally, this project was a sit-down meal giving guests a time to feed themselves nutritiously, mentally and socially. However, with the pandemic and the numbers continuing to rise it became a come-and-go drive through event. We also had several adults and scouts that delivered meals throughout their communities. All of this was free to the public.
Nearly 12 million Americans experienced hunger in 2019, at a time when the country has record-low levels of unemployment. Not surprisingly, reported rates of hunger climbed dramatically as the economy contracted in the year after the pandemic began. Although reported rates have come down since reaching a peak in December of 2020, hunger is likely to remain an issue for millions of Americans even as the economy recovers. There is evidence that existing governmental programs, as well as the expansions and enhancements put in place during the crisis, can move the needle on hunger.
Scouts have learned that they have a Duty to God and Country, duty to others, and duty to self. This is how they are carrying out the duty to others.
“We must say that we could not have had this event if it hadn’t been for the support of the scouts and their families as well as our generous supporters,” said Pat Ellis.
