SALISBURY — Starting Jan. 28 local scout troops will be hitting the pavement as they scout for food. “Scouting for Food” is a national initiative that began in 1985, Ann Barber, local district chairperson for Scouting for Food, said.

“It’s for us to give back to our community,” Barber said.

Scout troops around Rowan County will go out in communities on Jan. 28, dressed in uniform, to hand out bags they hope residents will fill with food.

“We are going to be out there, visible, asking for food donations,” she said.

On Feb. 4, they’ll return to collect the bags. All donations will go to Rowan Helping Ministries.

“The more food we get the better it is for families in Rowan County,” Barber said.

The program began as an Eagle Scout project and quickly grew to an annual, national event. This is the fourth year local Boy Scout troops have participated in Scouting for Food, Barber said.

“We try to teach the young boys that it’s a service that they do to help someone else…this is a way that they can be the hands and feet to help someone else,” she said.

While the bags will have a list of desired items on them — canned goods, pasta, personal hygiene items — community members can also donate money directly. If scouts receive monetary donations, Barber or another troop official takes it to Rowan Helping Ministries that day.

While the scouts have a few neighborhoods they target, residents can request a troop to drop by their street.

“We want to make it easy for everyone to give,” Barber said.

For more information, or to request a scout troop visit your neighborhood, contact Ann Barber at Annbarber739@gmail.com.