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The annual Scouting for Food campaign numbers for this year have been released by the Twin Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

The campaign raised a total of $6,525 for 18 different food shelves across the 15-county territory in south central Minnesota.

This includes a $1,000 match donation from Mankato Masonic Lodge No. 12.

Traditionally, Scouts collect 30,000-40,000 pounds of food by putting post notes on doors one weekend and collecting food donations the next.

Due to COVID-19 and ultimately Gov. Tim Walz’s stay at home order, this type of campaign was not possible.

Instead, an online money donation campaign was intiated, coming from an idea by Vice President of Marketing Brian Maciej.

According to the “Feeding America” website, a $1 donation equals approximately 12 pounds of food that can be purchased. This means this year’s campaign will help purchase approximately 78,300 pounds of food for the needy.  This is double the amount of food they normally to collect.

In Austin, scouts raised $370, good for 4,440 pounds of food. Adams took in a donation of $20 for 240 pounds of food and Lyle took in $10 for 120 pounds of food.