Scouts jump start Holiday Bureau food collection

Once again this year scout troops all over Ottawa County will assist the Holiday Bureau and other organizations in gathering food for families in need during the holiday season. Through the "Scouting for Food" campaign, cub and boy scouts will distribute grocery bags to homes throughout Ottawa County on Saturday, Oct. 17. Residents are urged to look for the bags and fill them with canned goods or boxed food items. On Saturday, Oct. 24, the scouts will return to pick up the filled bags and deliver them to the Holiday Bureau.

Judy Just, president of the Ottawa County Holiday Bureau, says, "These young boys give up two of their Saturday mornings to help. It is much appreciated and represents strong values in these caring young men."

Each division welcomes non-perishable food items, paper products, and laundry and bath supplies. To directly contact a representative in your Ottawa County region for an application or to donate call:

* Larry Coats, Benton/Carroll/Salem/ Oak Harbor, 419-862-4435

* Helen Frye, Catawba, 419-797-4642

* Judy Just, Danbury, 419-798-4163

* Bonnie Kaspar, Bay/Erie/Portage/Port Clinton, 419-734-2930

* Kathy Mapes, Allen/Clay/Genoa, 419-654-6273

* Esteban Reyes, Harris/Elmore, 419-862-2968.