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Girl Scouts Donate 6,560 Pounds of Food to Fight Hunger Across South Florida

by Sharon Aron Baron July 23, 2026

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Margate Troop 10219 donates food to Broward Outreach Center {GSSEF}

The Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida collected more than 6,500 pounds of food and volunteered hundreds of hours to help combat food insecurity across the region through its council-wide Feeding Florida Together food drive.

The campaign brought together 840 Girl Scouts from 82 troops across Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties. The girls logged a combined 327 volunteer hours while collecting 6,560 pounds of nonperishable food, which was distributed to 45 food pantries and collection centers.

The initiative was designed to teach girls the value of community service while addressing a growing need. According to Feeding South Florida, one in seven Floridians and one in five children experience hunger, affecting more than 3.2 million people statewide, including nearly 807,000 children.

“At Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida, we instill community stewardship, volunteerism and leadership in our members of all ages from five-year-old Daisies to high school senior Ambassadors,” said Lisa Johnson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida.

“By introducing the concept of giving back to the community at a young age, it will become a positive habit these girls will take with them into adolescence and adulthood and pass on to the next generation. Food insecurity is one of the most pressing issues South Florida faces. I am proud of all the girls who pitched in to make a difference.”

The girls collected or purchased nonperishable items, including canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, sauce, cereal, beans, baking mixes, juice, crackers and snacks. Some troops also volunteered at food distribution sites, sorting donations and packing boxes for families in need.

Each participating Girl Scout received a Feeding Florida Together 2026 patch to commemorate her service.

Among the top contributors, Weston-based Troop 10055 volunteered 150 hours at CROS Ministries, while Boca Raton-based Troop 24626 donated 338 pounds of food to Boca Helping Hands, the largest donation by a single troop.

Food donations benefited organizations throughout South Florida, including Broward Outreach Center, CROS Ministries’ food pantries in Jupiter, Indiantown and Central Palm, Feeding South Florida, Grace Packs…Love Provides, Hibiscus Children’s Center, House of Hope, Mustard Seed Ministry in St. Lucie County, Palm Beach County Food Bank, The Pantry of Broward and the Salvation Army of Lake Worth.

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