JACKSON, Wyo. — This past weekend, Scouts from around Teton County and their parents braved the rain and cold scouting for grocery items left on the front doors for the One22 Resource Center Jackson Cupboard.
Scouting for Food brought in over 158 cases from a caring community for the Jackson Cupboard, totaling over 3,514 pounds of food, the equivalent of 2,928 meals. The totals represent a 20% decline from last year’s total, which organizers attributed to inflation, fewer Scouts in the program and the rainy weather on Saturday. A nationwide scouting tradition, Scouting for Food is Jackson’s most prominent food drive.
Over 22 years ago, the Jackson Cupboard began as an Eagle Scout project and today distributes more than 35,000 pounds of food (29,167) meals every month.
Organized by volunteer Amy Brooks for over 20 years, Scouting for Food represents an annual tradition where folks throughout the community provide grocery items for the local Jackson Cupboard.
The Jackson Cupboard provides no-cost groceries and house supplies to help bridge the gap for individuals and families who work in Teton County.
“Amy Brooks has been the backbone of this annual event for over 20 years, and her dedication to food assistance is felt throughout the year at the Cupboard and especially during Scouting for Food,” says One22 Resource Center Program Director Isabel Zumel. “Her efforts and those of our wonderful volunteers have contributed to the success of our food assistance program and providing no-cost groceries to many.”
On average, a family of four spends approximately $800 – 1,000/month on groceries, and those costs are rising due to inflation. With many in our community spending 70-90% of their paychecks on rent, assistance like the Jackson Cupboard is critical to providing nutritious food to our community members.
Scouting for Food serves as awareness to others that there is food insecurity in Jackson and also where they can direct folks who they know might benefit from these services. Jackson Cupboard, located at 155 West Gill Avenue, has an online ordering form to make shopping easy and convenient, one22jh.org/jackson-cupboard.
As a reminder to the community, there is no referral or paperwork at the Jackson Cupboard – you always leave with nourishing food and groceries.
“Scouting for Food and our partnership with the Scouts is always a fall highlight. This year, seeing so many kids and families race across our community to collect every piece people have been so generous to give, especially in this rainy weather, was inspiring,” says One22 Resource Center Executive Director Sharel Lund. “With grocery, fuel and rent costs continuing to rise, we continue to see a need for food assistance, and we are grateful to our community for supporting each other.”
The Jackson Cupboard is part of a network of food assistance programs throughout Teton County, including prepared meals, rescued food, self-serve satellite cupboards, free and reduced meals at school, and full-scale custom food orders at the Jackson Cupboard. A food resource calendar is available at one22jh.org/jackson-cupboard.
If you want to donate food or grocery supplies, please check one22jh.org/take-action for a list of the most needed items.
