HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — Local Scouts will once again help fight hunger across the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding region through the annual Scouting for Food drive.

On Saturday, Nov. 7, Scouts from Scouting America Shenandoah Area and Virginia Headwaters Councils will distribute door hangers in neighborhoods throughout the region to remind residents about the food collection effort.

Scouts will return to those same neighborhoods on Saturday, Nov. 14, to collect donations. Residents are encouraged to place bags or boxes of canned and dry food outside their front doors by 9 a.m. for pickup.

All collected food will be donated to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, which distributes donations through a network of more than 300 community partners.

The food bank is especially in need of non-perishable items that are high in protein, low in sodium and sugar, and made with whole grains. Glass containers will not be accepted.

Residents can also make monetary contributions online at give.brafb.org/scouting. Each $1 donated helps provide more than three meals.

Households that do not receive a door hanger or miss the Nov. 14 collection can still participate by dropping off food or monetary donations at the nearest Blue Ridge Area Food Bank distribution center during regular business hours. Donors are asked to write “Scouts” on their donations to ensure they are credited to the Scouting for Food drive. Drop-off locations are available at brafb.org/contact-us.

Scouting for Food is an annual Scouting America service initiative tied to the organization’s “Do a Good Turn Daily” slogan. Scouts can earn a special patch by reporting the weight and drop-off location of the donations they collect. The effort also supports the National Good Turn initiative, which focuses on addressing hunger, homelessness and poor health across the country.

Since 2012, Scouts in the region have collected 1,035,671 pounds of food, providing an estimated 899,149 meals for neighbors experiencing hunger.

Last year’s drive alone collected enough food and monetary donations to help provide approximately 44,642 meals for residents across central and western Virginia.