BRIDGEPORT — The young ladies of Girl Scout Troop 20186 are hosting a Thanksgiving food drive to benefit the food pantry at Benton House.
The event takes place 1:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Benton House gymnasium, 3034 S. Gratten Ave.
Perishable and non-perishable items will be accepted and delivered directly to the weekly food pantry, which also takes place Saturday.
Founded in 2011, the local Girl Scout troop is comprised an "eclectic mix of about 20 girls in the Chinatown and Bridgeport neighborhoods," said troop leader Sarah Scalise.
"It's a really diverse mix, really representative of the modern, current Bridgeport," she said.
Two schools, Chinatown's Haines Elementary and McKinley Park's Namaste charter school, serve as the program's main feeders.
Scalise, 28, said the troop recently partnered with the social resource agency this year to expand the program's offerings, formerly housed at Haines and the Chinatown library.
This year, the girls have focused their efforts one of three areas at the century-old settlement house: the garden, the library or the food pantry.
Scalise, a Michigan native, said she and other troop leaders hope to bring the spirit of volunteerism to inner-city girls.
"The kinds of experiences I had growing up in a small town versus the city made it really clear to me that girls don't have the opportunity to go camping and learn outdoor skills and develop leadership skills. ... I want to make that experience available here," she said.
Girl Scout Troop 20186 accepts members from kindergarten through 10th grade. The cost to join is $15 but financial assistance is available. To learn more, email girlscouts20186@gmail.com
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