If you haven't already done so, now is the time to get your boy scout bags filled with non-perishable foods. Local troop 1218 dropped the collection bags off last week to more than 80,000 homes in Frederick County for their annual 'Scouting For Food Drive'. But district chairperson, Richard Griffin, says do not put frozen foods in the bags. "We ask that people also put out foods that are in their dates, no expired items either," Griffin said.

Griffin said he hopes this year's drive will be larger than last year's when the scouts collected over 70,000 pounds of food for the local food banks. "Fredericktonians are really generous and when it comes to supporting the food banks, and the good work that they do, they are really generous. We are also very fortunate that the troops are willing to donate the labor to pick up all the bags," continued Griffin.

Frederick County food banks serve about 1,600 families each month. Officials say that number has doubled in the past few years and represents the largest number of people served in 20 years.