CAPE AREA BOY SCOUTS TO COLLECT FOOD THIS SATURDAY

When a single mother called Paula Huggins at the Women's Safe House asking for help, food collected by the Boy Scouts provided a meal for her family.

The woman works, Huggins said, but even working parents sometimes have trouble making end meet.

"When our non-resident clients fall on hard times, I can put together a basket. This is something we are able to do because of Scouting for Food."

Boy Scouts will be out early Saturday, Nov. 1, collecting bags of food from people throughout Southeast Missouri.

The scouts distributed 30,000 empty bags for donations on doorsteps Oct. 25, but food may be donated in any bag or box.

Recommended foods include canned tuna, peanut butter, beef stew, boxed meals, macaroni and cheese, chili, canned meats, canned vegetables and canned fruits.

Scouts hope to collect 50,000 cans. In 1996, they collected more than 44,000 cans. The year before, more than 35,000 cans were collected.

Food collected in Cape Girardeau is donated for FISH and Salvation Army food pantries, the Women's Safe House and the Gibson Recovery Center.

Directors of these local agencies say more people are looking for assistance.

"Every year we see an increase in demand," said Capt. Bob Gauthier with the Salvation Army."

The food pantry at the Salvation Army has supplies to carry through another month, then its shelves would be bare, if not for Scouting for Food.

People experience hunger for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, the problem is short-lived, "People are in between jobs or have unexpected bills," Gauthier said. "They may not be eligible for food stamps, but can't afford to buy food."

Others experience gaps in receiving help from other sources.

"Even if you apply for assistance, you don't get it the same day," said Ralph Lorenz with the Gibson Recovery Center.

Huggins said her clients have quick response in receiving the new welfare cards, about two weeks. But two weeks is a long time to be without food.

"And food stamps won't pay for diapers," Huggins said. "These people can't use cloth diapers because they have no washer and dryer."

Scouting for Food was started in 1985 by the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, which includes Scouts from Southeast Missouri. Since then, the campaign has grown into the nation's largest single-day food drive.

NationsBank is the corporate sponsor for this year's drive, defraying costs of the donation bags, packing boxes and other expenses.