Since the BSA’s inception in 1910, Scouts have learned to ‘help
other people at all times’. Today, America needs the service of its
citizens more than ever. Hunger, lack of adequate shelter, obesity –
these are issues that affect all of us. The BSA believes that we can
do something about these issues – if we work together. That’s why
we’ve created Good Turn for America.
Good Turn for America is a national call to service by the BSA to
ensure adequate food and shelter and to develop good heath habits in
our nation. Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops and Venture crews across
America will join together in this national call to service.
Goals
Unit Participation
- Every pack, troop and crew is strongly
encouraged to participate in the Council’s annual Scouting For Food/Can Do
project to be held in November
- In addition to Scouting
For Food/Can Do, units are encouraged to select shelter or healthy living projects to be completed between March and December
How To Participate
- Choose a service
project . See the following section for service project ideas, or visit the Good Turn For America website for additional
ideas
- Complete and submit the
Good Turn For America brochure
- Begin and Complete
Project
- Call the council office for your Unit ID#
- Report the results
from your project on the Good Turn For America website.
Click on “Tell Us About Your
Service Project”
- Recognition Items – A
unit participation ribbon will be awarded by the council for each category
(Hunger, Shelter or Healthy Living) a unit completes a project in. A
special participation patch with segments representing each category will
be available.
Service Project Ideas
Food
- Scouting For Food/Can Do
- Bag Distribution is the first Saturday in November until Collection Day
- Bag Collection is the
second Saturday in November
- Registration: Complete
the Good Turn For America/Scouting For Food Brochure/Application below
Facts about Hunger and Scouting for
Food/Can Do:
- According
to the Hunger Action Coalition, each year an estimated 700,000 people in
Michigan receive emergency food.
- Since
2001, there has been a 20 percent increase in demand for emergency food
from local food pantries, soup kitchens and other social service
organizations.
- Approximately 13% of the population in the tri-county area live below the
poverty level established by the federal government.
- All food
donations collected are given to the Hunger Action Coalition who
distributes the food to more than 400 faith-based, nonprofit and public
agencies.
- The food
donated will fed 1.5 million people in the metro Detroit area.
- Since
Operation Can Do's inception, more than 7 million pounds of food--enough
to provide over 19 million meals-has been collected.
- For many years, the Detroit Area Council
has conducted the annual Scouting For Food/Can Do Drive. Each year,
thousands of Scouts participate and collect over 200 tons of food for
Southeastern Michigan food banks. Now, our annual project joins a
nation-wide effort, Good Turn For America!
Shelter
- Assist organizations
that build homes for the needy
- Assist shelters and
their occupants
- For additional Shelter
ideals, visit: www.goodturnforamerica.org
Healthy Living
- Offer
unit-level community and school-based sports and fitness clinics
- Conduct community
health awareness project
- Conduct service
projects to build healthier environments
- For
additional Healthy living ideas, please visit www.goodturnforamerica.org
|
|
|
