SMOKEY POINT — Food shoppers in the Marysville, Arlington and Smokey Point areas will have every weekend during September to help feed those in need, through the Tyee District of the Boy Scouts of America.

Tyee District Boy Scouts are looking to collect food in front of the Safeway in Smokey Point, the Food Pavilion, Haggen and Safeway in Arlington, and the Fred Meyer, Grocery Outlet, Safeway and both locations of Albertson’s in Marysville, Sept. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 and 26-27. The Boy Scouts will be available at the Marysville Haggen all of those days except Sept. 26, and at the Marysville IGA Sept. 5-6 and 19-20.

Tyee District Activity Chair Amy Stapay explained that the annual “Scouting for Food” event was originally held in March, but the Mount Baker Council of Boy Scouts chose to move it to September, to coincide with the “back to school” season, when many families’ budgets are already strained by shopping for school supplies and clothes.

“We still have units who collect food in March as well, along with those who collect warm coats in January,” Stapay said. “The need is year-round, though. In this economic downturn a lot of families are relying on their local food banks to put food on their tables, so the Tyee District is stepping up to the challenge of helping those food banks stock their shelves.”

Alex Stapay, Amy’s son and the senior patrol leader for Boy Scouts Troop 82, and Rich Beckert, the scribe for Troop 82, joined Amy Stapay in greeting Marysville Haggen’s Store Manager Cindy Smith Aug. 19. Alex Stapay has been “Scouting for Food” for at least five years, while Beckert has been doing so for close to three years, and both Boy Scouts spoke highly of the event. Amy Stapay praised such Boy Scouts as the true backbone of the annual event, describing adults such as herself as a mere safety net for their efforts, as they collect food and deliver it to local food banks in uniform.

“This is awesome,” Smith said. “I’ve been dealing with the Marysville Community Food Bank for years and they’ve got this great new facility, but they always need more food so this is an outstanding effort.”

“This benefits loads of families,” Alex Stapay said. “When you give back to the community, it makes you feel better. Scouting offers you good times with good friends, and great leadership opportunities.”

“I like going on camp-outs and exploring,” Beckert said.

“I like that campaigns like these are more than just parents enforcing charity on their children,” said Kolette Beckert, Rich’s mom. “The kids themselves choose to give back.”

Amy Stapay noted that “Scouting for Food” is a Good Turn for America project, which tracks the Scouts’ accomplishments on their Web site, at www.goodturnforamerica.org.

“I’ve been working on setting up this event since April, but I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat,” Stapay said.

For more information, you can contact Stapay by phone, at 360-658-1959, or via e-mail, at Amystapay02@verizon.net.