Junior Girl Scouts at Dodson Host Food Drive

At Dodson Elementary School, members of Junior Girl Scout Troop No. 40677 have been busily planning a food drive.

The project will "help raise awareness of hunger issues and fight hunger in our community," said Vicki Sheahan, the troop's leader.

The eight Girl Scouts, all fifth graders, including Sheahan's daughter Caitlin, have experienced eye-opening work in organizing the drive, Sheahan said.

"Although this project will earn them the Bronze Award (the highest award in Junior Girl Scouts), I'm impressed with the girls' enthusiasm and effort to just want to make the world a better place," Sheahan wrote in an email to Canton Patch. "That is something that makes me very proud as their Leader."

The Scouts have divided up duties, she said, designing flyers, getting the printing donated and recruiting area businesses to provide prizes for their Dodson classmates who support the food drive.

"The girls called places to help plan the whole thing. They wanted to inspire kids to donate. They developed a contest for the class with the highest donations," she said in a phone interview. "One of the girls called to get Jet's Pizza to provide pizza to the class that wins."

Earlier this year, members of Troop 40677 volunteered to help package food for Kids Against Hunger and "they just loved it," Sheahan said. "They wanted to do a bigger project."

The Girl Scouts have arranged for a Sept. 23 kickoff food drive at the , 1905 N. Canton Center Rd. The food drive at Dodson is set for Sept. 26 to 30.

donated printing services for flyers that the girls designed to use at Dodson; is donating freezer pops for the classes with the second and third highest donations. will be delivered to the students whose classroom that donates the most food.

Sheahan said the troop needs canned goods and other non-perishables but cannot accept donations in glass bottles or jars.

"Even 10-year-old girls can inspire other people to help make this a better world," Sheahan said. The food collected will go to the Canton-based pantry, .