Be on the look out for local Boy and Cub scout members this Saturday.

The group will begin its annual food drive by placing plastic bags near the doors of various homes for residents use in donating canned food items.

"It started as helping residents for the holiday season," said Caddo District Scouting Food Chairman Marty Vaughn.

"But with the economy the way it is, the food pantry is in need of that food all the time."

Scout members will hit the local neighborhoods at 9 a.m. and end the bag distribution around noon.

The group then will return to the homes to pick up the bags and collect the food items the next Saturday, Nov. 14.

Ms. Vaughn said the items will be taken to Central Baptist Church, where they will be sorted and given to the local food pantry.

Participating scouts from other surrounding units will drop it off at their respective food banks.

The Scouts have been conducting the drive for "at least" 11 years, Ms. Vaughn said.

"Some people will meet us at the door and go ahead and give us the food right then, but most people, once they see the story in the newspaper, will know what that bag is for," said Ms. Vaughn, "and then the next Saturday, on the 14th, they'll put it outside for us to pick up."

Close to 100 Scouts are expected to participate so Ms. Vaughn hopes the group will be able cover a broad area.

The Scouts are hoping to conduct the drive in the neighborhoods surrounding David Crockett Elementary School, South Marshall Elementary School and William B. Travis Elementary School — where the houses are closer together, which makes it easier for the group to distribute the plastic bags.

"We go mainly to the neighborhoods and we won't reach every house just because we don't have enough scouts to cover the entire town," said Ms. Vaughn.

"We reach as many houses as we can."

But the Scout leader says residents, who don't receive a plastic bag, should still make an effort to contribute.

"If we don't make it to your house and you don't get a bag, please go down to the food pantry and drop off a bag of your own because the food pantry is really needing that food," Ms. Vaughn added. "It's for the community."

Ms. Vaughn said only non-perishable items will be accepted.

"We would prefer for you not to put any glass jars or anything that may break," she said.

"Don't put anything that we would have to worry about refrigerating and please put good, in-date canned goods."

Ms. Vaughn said participating Scout members can learn a valuable lesson from giving back to their community.

"We strive in Scouts to teach them many things and one of them is community service and giving back to the community," Ms. Vaughn explained.

"It helps the boys realize there are people that are less fortunate and it allows Scouts to be more visible in the community."

For more information on the food drive, contact Marty Vaughn at 903-926-2048 or e-mail ladyscouter@gmail.com.

Contact Charles Iyoho: ciyoho@marshallnewsmessenger.com or 903-927-5964.