CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Scouting America is set for its 13th annual Scouting For Food event this weekend, and the organization is hoping to break the 1-million pound benchmark for food collected in the Charlottesville area.

The program, begun in St. Louis in 1985 and launched nationally in 1988, has been occurring locally since 2012.

Scouts hung door hangers in area neighborhoods last Saturday, and will back in those neighborhoods this coming Saturday, to pick up any bags or boxes of canned or dry food from front doors, starting at 8 a.m.

“It’s a really great opportunity for Scouts to connect with community service, and also to connect folks with supporting their communities through food donations,” Blue Ridge Area Food Bank’s Volunteer and Food Drive Manager Livia Marrs told Cville Right Now. “It’s really great because the Scouts come right to your door and make it so easy to donate food to your local food bank and food pantries.”

Since 2012, Scouts have collected 982,803 pounds of food which is the equivalent of 828,540 meals.

Last year, Scouts collected 39,636 pounds of food, and $3,815 in monetary donations, translating to 51,081 meals.

That makes shattering the million pound mark this year well within striking distance.

“I don’t want to jinx it, but we’re excited,” Marrs said. “We anticipate a really great collection.”

She said they’re looking for shelf-stable food items, not in glass and not refrigerated items. Peanut butter, pasta, rice, breakfast cereal, canned proteins, low-sugar canned fruit and low-sodium canned vegetables rank high on BRAFB’s wish list, as do hygiene products.

Marrs noted the Scouting for Food program occurs at a great time because it helps get the food bank ready for the holiday season. That’s especially important this year as the federal government shutdown is threatening SNAP benefits and taxing local food banks.

“But this year it is more important than ever because of that increased need we’re seeing from the community and at our pantries and our networks,” Marrs said. “More than ever, these Scouts are helping us make sure the folks who are coming in need of food support are able to get the food and care that they need. So, we really can’t be more grateful to them for doing that hard work and for carrying the many thousands of pounds they’ll be carrying this weekend,” said Marrs.

Households not receiving a door hanger or miss the pickup date can directly drop off donations at the nearest Blue Ridge Area Food Bank distribution center during regular business hours.

Locations can be found on the BRAFB website.

You can also make donations online indicate “Scouting for Food.”