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ROCK FALLS - There's never a bad time to help others, and you're never too young to start.
Last month, Newman Central Catholic High School teens organized a food drive for needy families through the area.
This month, Rock Falls Cub Scout Pack 323 and Brownie Troop 236 are collecting items to send to troops overseas, and food for the Rock River Christian Center's food pantry, as their USA Today Weekend's Make a Difference Day project.
Each year, the weekly magazine encourages people to find ways to help their less fortunate neighbors. This year, Make a Difference Day is on Oct. 27.
All of the food gathered will help pad the pantry's shelves, to help keep them stocked at a time of year when goods can run low, Cub Scouts leader Angie Valenzuela said.
This is the groups' fourth annual drive; last year, they collected 700 pounds of food, and the year before, it was a ton.
"We're hoping for as much as we possibly can," Valenzuela said.
The kids also are collecting items such as toiletries, CDs, DVDs, magazines and games to send to the troops.
"It's the everyday comforts we have here that they don't have there," said Shea Lamb, assistant director of Brownie Troop 236.
The kids will distribute food bags to Rock Falls residents from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 20, and folks then can leave the bags outside their front doors from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 27 for pick up.
Donations also can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 20 at Community State Bank in Rock Falls and at Rock Falls High School.
Boxes also have been set up around Rock Falls, at Community State Bank, Grummerts Hardware, Wheelock Furniture, Advanced Animal Health Center, Video Villager, Save-A-Lot, Adami Insurance, Friendship House and the Rock Falls Post Office.
Requested food items include: Coffee and filters, hot cocoa, apple cider, sugar and non dairy creamer, flavored tea, presweetened drink mixes, popcorn, microwavable meals, tins hams, crackers, chips, peanut butter, beef jerky, candy bars, canned fruit cups, canned tuna, canned chicken, granola bars, power bars and dry cereal.
The troops need cotton swabs, wipes, eye wash, eye drops, hand sanitizes, foot powder, dental floss, tooth brushes, mouth wash, lip balm, hand lotion, unscented deodorant, disposable razors, hair clips, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, body wash, non-aerosol bug repellent, baby powder, cotton balls, sunscreen, combs, brushes, nail clippers, plastic utensils, white socks, pipe cleaners, AA and AAA batteries, hand warmers, air freshener, pens, paper, envelopes, DVDs, jigsaw puzzles, games, music CDs, magazines and comics.
