12/23/2025
Members of the Premier Scout Family of Gloucester County, NJ - Scout Troop 151, Cub Scout Crew 2, and Pack 1721 - recently donated approximately 1,300 pounds of food to the Philadelphia VA Medical Center Nourish Our Heroes Food Pantry. The contribution, which totaled to over one ton, was so vast it had to be delivered in two separate visits in November and December. Scoutmaster Jerry Bakanowsky and Assistant Scoutmaster Carl Carlamere Jr. coordinated the “Scouting for Food” drive, where they spent most of November canvassing much of southern New Jersey to collect canned vegetables, meat, tuna and other shelf-stable food. Their hefty donations supported two Philadelphia VA pantry distributions in December, feeding a total of nearly 220 Veterans, and enhancing their holiday season meals. We are very thankful for the Premier Scout Family of Gloucester County’s hard work and generosity. And kudos to Sean Howard, Philadelphia VAMC Addiction Recovery Unit Peer Specialist, for connecting the medical center with this organization.
The Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) encourages civic groups, churches, schools, and other organizations to coordinate food drives to support the Philadelphia VAMC’s food pantry. You will support better health outcomes in the Veterans we serve. To learn more about how you can help, as well as other donation and volunteer opportunities, please contact CDCE at (215) 823-5868 or vhaphivisn4voluntary@va.gov.
