By Eleanor Wilson
When the 1st Narre Warren North Scouts aren’t busy developing their leadership, team work and life skills, they can be found donating their time at Narre Warren not-for-profit Bk 2 Basics.
The scout group recently embarked on a donation drive, with scout members and families donating 10 shopping bags’ worth of non-perishable goods to the charity, as well as dedicating their time at its weekly hot meal service.
It was 13-year-old patrol leader Matt Whittaker who initially encouraged the 1st Narre Warren Scouts group to get involved with the food donation program.
“I have been raised to see a need and to help out. There is a need in our community to help those doing it tough [and] Bk 2 Basics do what they can with the limited funds they have,” Michael said.
“They really need the government and big business to dig deep and support them.
“If you are looking for something to fundraise towards, why not support locals who support not only our local community but people Victoria-wide.”
Scout leader Michael Pearce said the volunteering initiative has been popular among the 13 members who volunteered over the past few Wednesday nights, with several scouts eager to continue volunteering and some members even coordinating food donations from local food establishments to help out the not-for-profit.
He said volunteering initiatives come part in parcel with a scout’s role in society.
“It’s integral for them, it helps to educate them about other people’s circumstances and situations, so they learn from a multitude of different perspectives,” he said.
“We try to give service as a unit in as many ways as possible.”
Bk 2 Basics is an emergency relief provider servicing Melbourne’s South East.
They provide weekly hot meal programs and a community pantry for families and individuals doing it tough.
