Q: Does our district have a Scouting for Food Chair?
A: Not all districts have a Scouting for Food Chair.  We are working with districts to get volunteers who would like to take this role on.  If you are interested please reach out to your District Executive.

Q: How do I find out who my District Scouting for Food Chair is?
A: Your District Executive or District Commissioner may know, but you can always email scoutingforfood@michiganscouting.org to ask who is handling that role.

Q: How do I know which area/neighborhoods to drop bags or flyers in?
A: Please contact your District Scouting for Food Chair to get your assigned area.  If you do not know who that is please email scoutingforfood@michiganscouting.org

Q: How do I get Scouting for Food bags?
A: The only areas that are receiving bags in 2024 are the districts in counties that are covered by Gleaners Community Food Bank, Food Gatherers and South Michigan Food Bank.  All other districts should utilize the Scouting for Food Fillable/Printable Flyer under Unit Resources on this webpage.

Q: Should I use a flyer if my district is passing out Scouting for Food bags to units?
A: NO.  If you are receiving Scouting for Food bags the information needed is printed on the bags.  The flyer should only be used in districts where they are not receiving Scouting for Food bags yet or a unit has decided to do Scouting for Food on a different set of dates.

Q: We have to use the Scouting for Food fillable flyer.  How do we use the flyer for Scouting for Food?
A: The flyer was made to be fillable so you can add your own information under “Pick Up Information” on the form.  The printing of the flyer will be the responsibility of the districts/units.  Then drop the flyers at the door steps on each home. Put the flyers through door handles, in between screen doors or under doormats making sure they are still visible.  The homeowner will provide their own bag or box for you to pickup on the 2nd Saturday in November.

Q: Can we place bags or flyers in the mailbox?
A: NO, this is against the law.  Do not place any Scouting for Food items in the mailbox.

Q: Which Food Bank or Food Pantry should we deliver to?
A: In the coverage area of Gleaners Community Food Bank, Food Gatherers and South Michigan Food Bank, we have provided already scheduled Food Bank or Food Pantry drop off locations.  Please check the list further down on this page to see these drop off locations.  If you are in a district that is covered by Feeding America West MI, please check here (https://www.feedwm.org/findfood/), Greater Lansing Food Bank, please check here (https://greaterlansingfoodbank.org/get-help/pantries) or Food Bank of Eastern MI, please check here (https://www.fbem.org/find-food/).  There are so many food pantries that have partnered with these food banks, so please locate a pantry close to your unit.  Please contact these locations to ensure they are available to accept your units collected food bags on the second Saturday in November.

Q: Our unit is doing Scouting for Food on a different date than the MCC dates scheduled.  Should we still register?
A: Yes, please register, but do not request bags.  Your unit can utilize the Scouting for Food Fillable/Printable Flyer under Unit Resources.  Your unit should still contact the District Scouting for Food Chair to receive a coverage area, so you are not dropping flyers in an area that just received bags/flyers during the scheduled MCC dates.  Please submit the Scouting for Food Campaign Tracker form once your service hours are completed.  This form can be found under Unit Resources as well.

Q: Will there be a patch made this year?
A: Yes, please check the Scouting for Food Patches section above.

Q: Why do Scouts have to pay for Patches?
A: The Michigan Crossroads Council is grateful that our partner Food Banks can purchase bags for the campaign. However, the council incurs other costs associated with Scouting for Food. Selling the patches helps to offset those costs and allows the committee to purchase promotional items. This Committee advocates keeping the price of the patches low and does not require each Scout to buy a patch.

Q: Do we need to submit any information after our Scouting for Food campaign is done?
A: Yes, on this page, look for the Scouting for Food Campaign Tracker under Unit Resources.  Please submit this form via email (scoutingforfood@michiganscouting.org) or via the online webform by Monday, November 18, 2024.

Q: How much does a filled Scouting for Food bag weigh?
A: While filled bags aren’t a consistent weight, when asked how many pounds of food your unit picked up, the best practice is to estimate each bag at 5 pounds.

Q: Why should my unit register for Scouting for Food?
A: We ask all units to register for Scouting for Food so we can report participation information to our partner Food Banks. We also use registration information in grant requests and reports to current donors. By registering your unit, we continue to grow the partnerships with local Food Banks and Food Pantries. When you register your unit, we ask for the approximate participation of youth and adults. Your unit information is only shared as an aggregate of other units in your district. Any personal information provided on the registration form is not shared with partner Food Banks, Grant Agencies, or Donors. Any contact information you share is only for specific Scouting for Food purposes and is not provided to individuals outside the Scouting for Food Team.

Q: Do I have to fill out a Multi-Unit Activity form if my unit participates in Scouting for Food with another unit?
A: Scouting for Food is a yearly Michigan Crossroads Council Activity in November. If your unit participates in Scouting for Food at the same time as the council’s Scouting for Food, you do not need to complete a Multi-Unit Activity Request form. If your unit participates with another unit in a food gathering service project on a different date, a Multi-Unit Activity Form may be required.