SOUTH HADLEY – A Granby Boy Scout has answered a need for a local food pantry through his Eagle Scout project. Isaac Crouch is a South Hadley resident and an Eagle Scout candidate from Troop 306 in Granby. While volunteering at the Neighbors Helping Neighbors food pantry Crouch came up with the idea for his Eagle Scout project.

“I noticed how empty the shelves are and came up with the idea to do an Eagle project for the pantry” said Isaac “The goal for my Eagle Scout project was to donate as much food and products as a troop can to the pantry.”

To become an Eagle Scout, candidates must demonstrate the Scout spirit, achieve 21 merit badges, and plan and follow through on an Eagle Scout project as well as meet various other requirements.

To gather food for the food drive, Crouch and his troop stood outside of Dollar General in Granby, Stop and Shop in Holyoke and Walmart in Chicopee. Donation boxes were also placed at the South Hadley Public Library, the South Hadley police station and Bank ESB. The food pantry was in need of tomato products, canned meat, cereal, oatmeal and personal care items, he explained.

The troop was able to gather over 200 cans of tomato products and over 100 boxes of cereal.

“The project went very well with 1,417 pounds of food and products being donated,” said Crouch “I would like to thank Dollar General, Stop and Shop and Walmart for allowing my troop and myself to stand outside their stores. South Hadley Public Library, South Hadley Police Station and Bank ESB for allowing me to leave donation boxes in their lobbies. A very special thank you to Neighbors Helping Neighbors Mary Lou and Julie for allowing me to do this project and for their guidance along the way.”