Eagle Scout candidate to hold 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.
Burkhalter, an active member of his troop and a 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, Burkhalter saw firsthand how the shelves were light and donations were sparse.
"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," said Burkhalter.
"At the same time, donations decrease because the food pantry benefits greatly from school food drives during the school year and those activities are not happening over the summer."
Approximately 4 percent of Boy Scouts reach the rank of Eagle, and Burkhalter 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 on the corner of Belmont and Miner streets, 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 pantry, and combine it with something I have loved and enjoyed my entire life, Frontier Days," said Burkhalter.
He is hoping that Frontier Days foot traffic and repeat visitors to the festival will donate to his tent. Burkhalter and a group of volunteers will be canvassing the parade route and delivering fliers and bags so people will donate at the tent or bring it to the Fourth of July Parade.
At the parade, Burkhalter 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; they will pick up your donation.
"My goal is for this project to have a positive impact in the community," said Burkhalter. "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 Eagle project."
Burkhalter hopes with ongoing support of his Boy Scout troop, the Freedom Food Drive will become a yearly event.
If you are not able to donate at this event, donations will be accepted directly at the Wheeling Township Food Pantry, 1616 N. Arlington Heights Road.
The Freedom Food Drive will be at the corner of Belmont and Miner streets, across from Frontier Days. Drop-off donation tent hours are: 5-8 p.m. Friday, June 30; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, July 1; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, July 2; and 5-8 p.m. Monday, July 3. On Tuesday, July 4, the parade collection will take place from noon-2 p.m.
For information, visit Facebook and Instagram @freedomfooddrive, or email freedomfooddrive@gmail.com.
• Submit 'Your News' at www.dailyherald.com/share.