Eagle Scout Project Benefits Wheeling Township Food Pantry -Freedom Food Drive
Laura Musso
1223 W. Thomas St.
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
847-514-5535
Eagle Scout Project Benefits Wheeling Township Food Pantry - Freedom Food Drive
Eagle Scout candidate, Spencer Burkhalter from St. James Boy Scout Troop 166 is looking to stock the Wheeling Township Food Pantry over the Fourth of July weekend. An active member of his troop and Hersey student who is a member of the cross country, swim and volleyball teams decided to focus his Eagle Scout Project on what he sees as a food pantry drought during the summer months. After volunteering at the Wheeling Township Food Pantry during the summer, he saw firsthand how the shelves were light and donations were sparse. According to Spencer, "I learned there is an increased demand for the food pantry during the summer as many kids who receive free and reduced lunch at school are no longer receiving those meals. At the same time, donations decrease because the Food Panty benefits greatly from school food drives during the school year and those activities are not happening over the summer."
Approximately 4% of Boy Scouts reach the rank of Eagle and Spencer has been working for several months for his project to be successful. The project called Freedom Food Drive, is made up of two parts. First, he will have a tent (located on the corner of Belmont and Miner - across from Frontier Days) that will be open during peak Festival hours. "I decided I would try to take something I am passionate about, the Food Panty, and combine it with something I have loved and enjoyed my entire life, Frontier Days." He is hoping that Frontier Days foot traffic and repeat visitors to the festival will donate to his tent. He and a group of volunteers will also be canvassing the parade route and delivering flyers and bags so people will donate at the tent or bring it to the 4th of July Parade. At the parade, Spencer will be working not only with his volunteers but coordinating with the Arlington Heights Sunset Rotary "Foodapalooza" volunteers to pick up donations from the crowd. Look for the Wheeling Township Truck and volunteers pushing shopping carts and they will pick up your donation.
"My goal is for this project to have a positive impact in the community. Arlington Heights is a wonderful place to live because it's a city of good neighbors and I am hoping the community will support the Food Pantry and my project." Spencer hopes with continued support of his Boy Scout Troop, this will become a yearly event.
If you are not able to donate at this event, all donations will be accepted directly at the Wheeling Township Food Pantry at 1616 N. Arlington Heights Road.
Freedom Food Drive
Location: Corner of Belmont and Miner across from Frontier Days
Drop-Off Donation Tent Hours:
Friday, June 30th 5-8pm
Saturday, July 1st 10am-8pm
Sunday, July 2nd 10am-8pm
Monday, July 3rd 5-8pm
Tuesday, July 4th Parade collection and 12-2pm
Facebook and Instagram: @freedomfooddrive
freedomfooddrive@gmail.com