LINN COUNTY - In an effort to help out the Linn County community and give back to those that have been so supportive of them, Cub Scout Pack #3114 at Mound City has organized a food drive to benefit the Food Basket pantry at Pleasanton.

The drive began when pantry organizer Ted Carper visited Beachner Grain at Mound City asking to hang flyers for his pantry.

While discussing the current economy and the increasing need people have for assistance

from the pantry, den mother Melissa Harris came up with the idea of the food drive.

"We're a fairly new pack," said Harris, "so this is our first year to really be able to give back to the communities."

"They've been so supportive with our popcorn sales, that this opportunity to give back was perfect," she said, adding that funds from those sales stay in county and actually go to provide the Scouts with funds to attend Cub day camp, buy patches and even purchase shirts and books in some instances.

"We have about 20 or so Scouts," said Harris, "and we've set a goal of 20 items per Cub Scout before the Thanksgiving distribution at the pantry."

If the boys make their goal, Harris and her husband, Paul, who is den leader, have promised them a cookout and hayride at their home which is located on a hundred-acre tract outside of Mound City.

"We have drop boxes at David's Barber Shop in Mound City and here at Beachner Grain," Harris noted, "and we've asked the boys to bring their collected items to the weekly meetings."

Currently, the Scouts have accumulated approximately 100 items, about a quarter of the goal set in order to get their cookout.

Pantry organizer Ted Carper is overwhelmed by the Scouts' willingness to help.

"We're currently feeding over 150 people per month," said Carper, noting the pantry is open on the fourth Thursday of the month at the Assembly of God Church on 7^th Street in Pleasanton.

"In November and December, we move that day to Tuesday to accommodate the holidays," noted Carper.

Beyond the food drive, Carper says the pantry is still in need of donations.

"We're having to buy the bulk of our food now in order to give folks something to eat," he noted.

"I think it's really been a help in this area," Carper continued. "It's been a real blessing to a lot of people; we help a lot of senior citizens on fixed incomes."

"I had one lady tell me that without us she wouldn't have eaten at all that month," said Carper, who went on to note that he believes the state of the economy is contributing in large part to the high numbers of folks the pantry is serving.

"We really appreciate it," he said referring to the Scouts' food drive, "because every little bit helps."