Each year, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts collect nonperishable food items for the Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ food pantry. This time, with more local people than ever in dire financial straits due to the economy, they’re counting on the generosity of local residents to help the WFCM feed people in need.

This Saturday, Nov. 7, Scouts will go all over Centreville, Chantilly and Clifton and leave Scouting for Food bags outside people’s doors. The hope is that residents will then fill those bags with canned goods and boxed food for the Scouts to pick up, the following Saturday, Nov. 14. People are asked to leave the bags outside their front doors, that day, by 9 a.m.

Especially needed are: Soup, canned meats and tuna, dry pasta, dried beans, oil, pancake mix, syrup, baked beans, Hamburger Helper, canned fruits and beans, and cake and frosting mixes. Also needed are size 5 diapers and toiletries, as well as flour, sugar, fruit juice, dried beans, hot cereal, coffee, tea, condiments, and canned evaporated and sweetened condensed milk.

Afterward, the Scouts — joined by Girl Scouts and Brownies — will sort what’s collected and deliver it to the food pantry. "To me, this is the single most important event to give back to our community," said Michael Adere, Sully District Scouting for Food coordinator, along with Peter Reyda. "The people they’re helping might even be their neighbors."