The New Carlisle Bethel Churches United (BCU) Food Pantry’s shelves are a little fuller, thanks to Tecumseh High School Senior, Sean Collins, who recently completed an ambitious Boy Scout Eagle project as a way to conduct a food drive for the Pantry.
This spring, Collins produced and directed the comedy, “The 39 Steps,” as a Senior Production at Tecumseh High School. Collins used the production for his Eagle Scout project by utilizing it as a means to both entertain community members and to gather food donations for the BCU Pantry. Audience members attending opening night of “The 39 Steps” had the opportunity to donate food or monetary donations for the Pantry in exchange for a ticket to see the show. People also donated food by using one of the donation barrels Collins placed at his church and at Tecumseh’s high school and middle school.
Between the show and the donation barrels, Collins gathered at least 100 non-perishable food donations and $460.00 in cash for the Pantry through his Eagle Scout project.
According to BCU Food Pantry Coordinator, Elvera Buckmaster, the donations will be put to good use, “The Pantry serves an average of 160 families a month, which can be up to 500 individuals. We are seeing an increase in senior citizens and single people using the Pantry too. We’ve had 91 seniors come here in one month. There is a real need for the Pantry in the community.”
After undertaking such an ambitious project, Collins has advice for Boy Scouts who want to do Eagle Scout projects in the future. “Do (a project) you want to do...otherwise you’ll have no fun and be miserable for every agonizing minute spent planning, prepping, and executing the project. Find something you like and have it make a difference. I had an insane amount of fun and just really enjoyed doing the show. It took a long time but I wouldn’t trade it for any other project out there.”
Buckmaster says the pantry accepts non-perishable food donations during its regular business hours on Wednesdays from 4:00pm-5:30pm and on Fridays from 12:00pm-2:00pm. The BCU Pantry is located at 226 S. Pike St. in New Carlisle and its telephone number is (937) 845-1008.
Buckmaster says the pantry provides emergency groceries and food to New Carlisle-area residents only. Requests are fulfilled at most once per month.
