Cub Scouts partner to help and give hope
By Celeste McNeil; photo courtesy of Brian McKelvey
Brian McKelvey, Marion Dahlem Help & Hope Center Volunteer Coordinator, Dr. Norb Cygan Pack 856’s charter organization representative, two Saturday volunteers, Noah McKelvey and Wayne Turner, Commander of Harry C. Miller American Legion Post 1187 recently delivered and unloaded 1,116 pounds of food and supplies, in addition to more than $900 in cash and gift card donations, to the Help & Hope Center.
Castle Pines Cub Scout Pack 856 has been busy. They joined with their chartering organization, Castle Rock American Legion Post 1187, in assisting with the Legion’s annual spring food drive. All food, supplies and money were donated to Help & Hope Center, the Douglas and Elbert County Task Force run thrift store and food bank (Mela’s Pantry) in Castle Rock. “We were able to collect 816 pounds of food and toiletries and $606 in cash and gift card donations,” said Brian McKelvey, Pack 865 Cubmaster.
The Scouts quickly realized their efforts were not enough. A week later, they reached out to the Black Feather Scout District and organized an emergency drive. The response was outstanding. The Cub Scouts gathered an additional 300 pounds of groceries and toiletries and $300 in cash in just a few days.
Pack 856’s combined efforts from both drives totaled more than $900 in cash and gift cards and more than a half ton of groceries and other essential items to Help & Hope Center. With the help of Mela’s Pantry’s partnership with Food Bank of the Rockies, they can provide four meals for $1, or one week of meals for a family of four for $21. The monetary donations alone can provide 3,624 meals for local families in need. McKelvey expressed his gratitude to the community when he said, “We are extremely thankful for those who donated items in this time of need.”
