Girl Scouts in St. Johns and Flagler counties on Sunday hosted an outreach event to feed and entertain farmworkers in Hastings.
The girls’ efforts supported the work of Pie in the Sky, a Hastings-based organization that provides necessary aid to farmworkers in the area and support to the community. Pie in the Sky also runs Farm to Family, a mobile farmers market that brings fresh, local produce to food deserts in St. Johns County.
Over the last couple of months, Girl Scout troops around the area collected hundreds of toiletries, first aid supplies and canned/nonperishable food items to distribute to workers who attended the event. Some troops donated jackets, sweaters and hats for the workers, as well as hot plates, backpacks and other in-demand items.
Girls from kindergarten to high school attended the event, where they served dinner, handed out gift bags, played Bingo with the farmworkers and spent time with the workers learning about their lives and what they do.
Local musician Buffalo Munn, a regular supporter of Pie in the Sky, donated his talents to provide entertainment.
Woody’s Bar-B-Q (St. Augustine location) contributed meat for the early Thanksgiving dinner, and Publix at Plantation Plaza (Northwest St. Johns County) donated reusable and paper bags, which the Girl Scouts filled with hygiene supplies, first aid kits, canned food and treats.
After the event, girls reflected on their experiences and some expressed interest in doing more work to help the farmworker community.
“I am so proud of the Girl Scouts in the St. Johns and Flagler community for all of their hard work and community service. These scouts put a lot of thought and effort to make their community a better place,” said GSGC Community 5 Leader Beth Osburn. “It is amazing to see how girls of all ages can find a need in their community and do their best to make an impact and fill that need. Many of these acts start out as community service, but end up being a take action plan.”
Area scouts are part of Ocean Crest Girl Scouts community, which is part of Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, and serves girls in St. Johns and Flagler counties. Girls can join at any time during the year and will never be turned away. To learn more about Girl Scouts in the area, visit www.oceancrestgirlscouts.com or www.girlscouts-gateway.org.
