Scouts will soon appear on doorsteps in Alexandria as part of a longtime campaign to keep neighbors in need from going hungry.
Scouting America National Capital Area Council will host its 40th annual Scouting for Food, one of the D.C. region’s longest-running food drives. On Saturday, Nov. 14, thousands of Scouts, parents and volunteers will be out in Virginia, D.C. and Maryland neighborhoods to collect non-perishable food donations for food banks, food pantries and organizations serving the food insecure.
The weekend before (Nov. 7-8), Scouts will distribute door hangers in neighborhoods. Residents are encouraged to place their non-perishable food donations outside their homes by the morning of Nov. 14 for collection.
The returning food drive is part of a national day of service for Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) to mark the America250 celebration.
“As our nation celebrates America250, Scouts are demonstrating that service remains one of our country’s most enduring values,” said Mario Pérez, CEO and Scout executive of the National Capital Area Council. “Thousands of young people will spend this day helping others, proving that even the smallest acts of kindness can create a lasting impact.”
According to the Capital Area Food Bank’s 2026 Hunger Report, food insecurity has reached a five-year high in the D.C. region, and fewer households are confident that they can financially afford all of their food. The food bank estimated 37% of residents in Alexandria experience food insecurity, up from 32% in 2025.
Last year, Scouts in troops associated with the National Capital Area Council collected more than 753,000 pounds of food. The latest campaign has a 1 million-pound food collection goal.
The most-needed food items are:
- Canned proteins (tuna, chicken, salmon)
- Peanut butter
- Pasta, rice, and other grains
- Whole-grain cereal and oatmeal
- Canned vegetables and fruits
