Updates

Email sent Tuesday, Feb 27, 2024

Note: Due to the Klondike Derby rescheduling, there are a number of units that will not be doing hangtags this weekend.  Please leverage this information when your unit conducts hangtag dropoff.     

 Hangtag dropoff is on schedule for this upcoming weekend.  The maps are posted on the SFF website.   

Below are some resources that might be of assistance for the next two weekends:

• Safety, Safety, Safety:  Just a friendly reminder for this weekend that SAFETY is the number one concern.  Please ensure both scouts and parents are being safe.  There are some good tips in the example communication documentation on the website.  The direct link to referenced document is here. 

• Track Volunteers & Hours:  Please track those that are volunteering their time to support SFF.  A sample tracking form that you can use is here.  

****One thing to note is that hangtags were cut VERY close to the top.  They have a tendency to rip at the top.  One option is to use rubber bands.  Try size 33  (3-1/2" x 1/8") to prevent the ripping.  One of the units had a suggestion that worked well last year where you fold the handtag in half and tie the rubber band around the folded part to prevent the ripping.  https://youtube.com/shorts/JP7ThHjDOAI  Here is an alternate option especially if you have smaller rubber bands https://youtube.com/shorts/NkzJc-X0tf4. 

Email sent Sunday, Feb 11, 2024

First, thank you to everyone's patience as we have had to re-organize many activities due to the new Klondike Derby date.  Please see the email below about SFF tag pickup information as well as more detailed information surrounding the SFF dates.

SFF Dates:  We are going to keep the currently published dates of March 2 (tag drop off) and March 9 (food pickup).  However, there are a large number of units that need to shift their dates to best support SFF.  For any of those units that are shifting to do food drop off on March 16 or later in April, we will put together a separate email to communicate how that will work as well as information about food pantry coordination/instructions.

Hang Tag Pickup:  Pickup will be at the National Pike District Roundtable on Monday, February 12, from 7:15 p.m.-8:30 p.m.  We will be setup in the lobby of the Columbia Academy so you should not miss us.  If you cannot pickup tomorrow, please email us, and we can coordinate a different pickup date.  Note:  Doors to the facility do not open until 7:00 pm so we may need a minute or two to setup.

Location:  Columbia Academy Elementary and Middle School

Address:  10350 Old Columbia Rd, Columbia, MD 21046

Time:  7:15 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Training Follow Up:  Thank you to those that were able to watch the training video (https://youtu.be/L61Ovht0DsU).  We will have a follow up / Q&A meeting on Thursday, March 15 at 7:00pm.  Here is the link to the Zoom:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4377905659

Final Territory and Food Pantry:  The final territories and food pantries have been published.  They both can be found at our scoutingforfoodnpd.com website with the map of your unit's territory (2024 Maps) as well as food pantry (2024 Food Pantries) information.  Please let us know if you see any discrepancies.  Note: the food pantry information has listed the "tentative" dates on when you will be delivering food based.  Please let us know if this needs to be updated.

Scouting For Food Signs (Optional):  If your unit is interested, you can purchase Scouting For Food signs.  A picture of the sign, instructions are in the below document.  The cost is $13.79 per sign (including H bracket to put in the ground).  We are supposed to also receive 10 signs from the Council this year, but I have not received them yet.  If your unit would like one, you can respond to an email once I have them in hand, and we will hand out on a first come, first serve basis.

Email sent Monday, Feb 5, 2024

As you may be aware, the Klondike Derby has been rescheduled to the same day as the SFF Hangtag distribution, March 2.

Units DO NOT have to drop off hangtags on March 2.  Here are several options:

1. Drop off hangtags on Sunday, March 3.

2. Drop off during the week on the day your den / patrol / group meets giving folks in your assigned area a couple of days to go shopping for food.

3. Choose alternative dates for both the hangtag drop off and food pick up (e.g., March 9 for hangtags and March 16 for food pick up).

We have reached out to both the Klondike Derby Committee and the District Committee for feedback on the conflict on the calendar but have not heard back yet.

We will update you with any new information as we receive it.

Email sent Monday, Feb 5, 2024

First, we want to thank everyone for having SFF a part of your unit's service projects and programming.  Your support of SFF will help fight food sensitivity in Howard County and our local communities.  

We will have weekly emails going out with information surrounding SFF.  

Training:  We have a 15 minute video that we have created that will give you a "101" on SFF and answer a lot of questions that you may have.  Whether this is your first year coordinating for your unit or just need a refresher, this presentation is for you.  The training can be found here:  

https://youtu.be/L61Ovht0DsU  Note: Originally, there was going to be two information sessions this week, but due to scheduling issues we have recorded the session.  Please, submit any questions directly back to this email!

Hangtag Pickup:  You may pick up the hangtags at the February roundtable on Monday, February 12 between 7:15pm and 8:30pm.  Columbia Academy 10350 Old Columbia Rd, Columbia, MD 21046.  

Terriory Maps and Food Pantry:  We are looking to honor the requests that were submitted.  These will be confirmed and posted on the website by Monday, February 12.  

Question & Answer Session:  Although we will not have any in-person training sessions, we will have an opportunity for in-person Q&A on Thursday, February 15 at 7:30pm.  The Zoom link will be sent in next week's email.