Area boy scouts pick up holiday food donations

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Boy scouts from across the area spent Saturday collecting food to help feed the hungry - all part of the 6abc/Dunkin Donuts Holiday Food Drive.

The bags were dropped off door to door last week with instructions inside asking residents to fill them up with non-perishable food items.

Saturday was the day of the big pickup.

"I went around and collected bags from my neighborhood, collecting the bags for the hungry so they have something to eat for the holidays," said David Teesedale, Troop 367.

Hundreds of boy scouts fanned out across the city from Somerton to South Philadelphia to Roxborough, bringing their collections to waiting Philabundance trucks.

For long-time scouts, it's a tradition.

"Channel 6 has been a sponsor for many years. I've been involved with scouts for close to 30 years and we've been doing this project a week before Thanksgiving since the mid-80s," said Matthew Cronin, Troop 367.

For new scouts, it's quickly becoming a tradition.

"I realize because I'm always seeing people who need more help than I do and I feel like I should help them," said Matthew Crump.

"I'm thinking about the people who need the food. I'm doing a pretty good job and everybody else here is too," said Kyle Ross, Troop 334.

The 6abc/Dunkin Donuts Holiday Food Drive put more than 770,000 meals on the table last year.

6abc has partnered with Philabundance, the largest food bank in the region, and several corporate sponsors in the 29th year of this project.

If your bag was not picked up, you can contact Philabundance or donate it to a local food bank.

If you missed your opportunity to drop off items with the boy scouts, you still have a chance to connect, share and give. At the 6abc/Dunkin Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade, there will be empty shopping carts at various locations.

For more information on the 6abc/Dunkin Donuts Holiday Food Drive, visit: http://6abc.cm/1A0ILCa