Eagle Scout Project: Building a Community Food Pantry

My name is Samuel Yandell, a Life Scout from Troop 10. I am currently working on my Eagle Scout Service Project which will benefit my community. When I moved to Tallahassee, my family and I began stocking another pantry. This allowed me to see the positive impact it leaves on our community.

The project is a small food pantry placed at Kate Sullivan Elementary School in Tallahassee, Florida. The purpose of the pantry is to help feed those in need. I am working with Tallahassee Action Grants, Inc. and Help Shelf Tallahassee (https://www.facebook.com/helpshelfTLH/), local organizations helping disadvantaged communities through the use of beneficially placed pantries. Once set up, the pantries are routinely supplied by community volunteers.

Locally, the Big Bend region has been hit hard with 30% of its population seeking food assistance, a total of 150,000 people who are struggling to find their next meal. The Big Bend is also home to five of the top 10 counties in Florida with the highest rates of food insecurity. Madison (18.5%), Dixie (18.1%), Gadsden (18.0%), Jackson (16.6%), Taylor (16.4%) and Franklin (16.3%) counties rank among the highest in food insecurity within the state.

The funds will go directly towards the building materials needed to build the pantry. Any excess funds will go toward food and other necessities that will be put into the pantry.