After distributing nearly one million bags last weekend, the Scouts returned to those same areas to collect canned goods and other non-perishables.  Scouts in the St. Louis area took the donations to area fire stations, where volunteers sorted and boxed the food.  This years drive faced a logistical challenge because the 892nd Transportation Company of U.S. Army Reservists, who provided the transportation for the past 19 years, are deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Sunset Transportation, Inc. of Sunset Hills came to the rescue, providing 19 vehicles, equipment and volunteer drivers, and those of additional volunteer trucking companies.  At left, James A. Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Sunset Transportation, Inc., helps Cub Scouts Eddie Meyer and Tyler Bernard load a box of canned goods onto a truck during Scouting for Food.  Sunset coordinated all logistics for the food collection, which involved transporting boxed food from more than 50 area fire stations to two warehouses and the St. Louis Area Foodbank.  The Foodbank will distribute the canned goods to more than 480 area food pantries.

"The generosity of our community will help provide many people with food for the next few months," said Terry Schwarck, Scout Executive of the Greater St. Louis Area Council.  "Each year, our community responds to Scouting for Food in an overwhelming fashion.  Its a wonderful way to start the holidays."