Scouting for Food 2026

We are excited to launch Scouting for Food 2026, the Garden State Council's premier service initiative and one of the largest youth-led community service projects in South Jersey. This annual campaign provides Scouts with an incredible opportunity to live the values of Scouting through service, leadership, and compassion while making a meaningful difference in the lives of families struggling with food insecurity.

Our goal this year is ambitious: collecting more than 125,000 pounds of food to support local food banks and community partners throughout our region. In 2025, Garden State Council Scouts collected more than 115,000 pounds of food, demonstrating the extraordinary impact that can be achieved when our Scouting community comes together.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Associated Builders and Contractors of New Jersey (ABC-NJ) for their continued generosity as the Presenting Sponsor of Scouting for Food. Through this valued partnership, now entering its fourth year, the Council will provide 100,000 reusable collection bags to units across the six counties served by the Garden State Council, helping us reach even more neighborhoods and families in need.

To officially kick off this year's campaign, we invite all Scouting volunteers, leaders, and supporters to join us at ABC-NJ's brand-new facility for the Council's Scouting for Food Kickoff Event. During the evening, attendees will hear from our sponsor, representatives from the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and the Food Bank of South Jersey, and fellow Scouters who have witnessed firsthand the positive impact this campaign has on our communities.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Location:
Associated Builders and Contractors of New Jersey
116 Gaither Drive
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

Dinner will be provided, and guests will have the opportunity to tour ABC-NJ's impressive new facility.

We encourage every district, unit, and Scouting supporter to attend and help us launch what promises to be our most successful Scouting for Food campaign yet. Together, we can strengthen our communities, support our neighbors in need, and continue the Scouting tradition of service by helping reduce the grip of food insecurity across South Jersey.

Please join us on September 29th and be part of making a difference. Together, we can ensure that no family in our communities has to face hunger alone.