NORWICH – Boy Scout troops within the Baden-Powell Council will begin their largest service project of the year, Scouting for Food, on March 10.

The project involves thousands of Cub scouts, Boy scouts, and Venturers across New York and Pennsylvania going door-to-door in their area collecting food donations for those in need across the council’s six counties.

Chenango scouts will place plastic bags on door steps around the county on March 10, and return the following Saturday, March 17, to collect all of the donations. All non-perishable food items collected will then be distributed to local food pantries, churches, shelters for the homeless and other local agencies food agencies.

According to Roger Hoyt, scout executive, the council’s goal is to bring in at least 75,000 food items in 2012.

“Last year we collected quite a bit,” said Nancy Dye, cub leader for Pack 62 in Norwich. “It’s good for the food pantry and the kids love to run around and drop off/pick up the bags.”