Scouts collecting food

Scouts in the East Carolina Council-White Oak River District will collect non-perishable food items for local food pantries in Onslow County Saturday.

Carl Erlandson, the White Oak River District food coordinator and a scoutmaster, said the collection involves more than 1,700 scouts. He said it is the scouts largest food donation effort that will supply food pantries in Jacksonville, Richlands, Sneads Ferry and Swansboro.

Flyers have already been sent to homeowners in the Jacksonville area about the food project, Erlandson said.

“We have asked everyone who wants to donate to place the items on their front porch in sacks or cardboard boxes, and the scouts will be driven around the area Saturday to collect them,” Erlandson said.