With Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s a season to give thanks and give back to the community.
Organizations and members across Osceola County are coming together to host the third annual Basket Brigade in support of the School District of Osceola County’s Families In Transition (FIT) program this Thanksgiving holiday. It’s a collaboration among many including Osceola County schools and departments, Scouting America, and community partners.
Fulfilling donations for this year’s Basket Brigade is Scouting America’s Scouting For Food initiative—the nation’s largest single-day food drive, which takes place the first Saturday in November each year. Roughly 150 volunteers from Scouting America’s Central Florida troops coordinated donations this weekend.
“Scouting for Food has been important for me as a parent because I want my kids, and those other scouts in [my son’s] group, to learn about civic responsibility and what it means to be a good citizen and neighbor,” said Greg Filak, the Scouting For Food lead from Celebration Cub Scout Pack 125. “As elementary school students, what that means for them is realizing that there are kids and friends in school and in their extra-curricular activities like Scouts, sports, and church, who do not have the freedom from worrying about where their next meal is going to come from.”
Scout packs across Osceola County collected and delivered more than 24,000 pounds of food for the FIT program to a location in St. Cloud, where Osceola School District staff and volunteers are assembling the baskets throughout the week.
“It is truly humbling and inspiring to see our schools, staff, students, and community come together in such a meaningful way through the Basket Brigade,” said Dr. Mark Shanoff, Superintendent of the School District of Osceola County. “This effort reflects the very best of who we are as a school district—a family that cares deeply for one another.”
The first group to assemble baskets for this volunteer effort consists of exceptional education high school students from Project SEARCH— an internship program for transition-age students with disabilities through local business sites including AdventHealth and Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, offering opportunities to learn transferable skills leading to employment.
“What is most inspiring about our Project SEARCH students is the enthusiasm, pride, and sense of purpose they bring to this effort. These young adults remind all of us what it truly means to give back and to be part of something bigger than ourselves,” Shanoff said. “Watching them work alongside our employees, volunteers, and community members to pack baskets for families in need is a powerful example of inclusion and the meaningful contributions every individual can make.
“Project SEARCH is all about empowering students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop their skills and find success in the workplace—and this experience reflects that mission beautifully. Their dedication and joy in helping others not only make a difference for our families but also inspire everyone around them to see ability, compassion, and community in action.”
Lizette Robles, Educational Specialist for SDOC, anticipates volunteers to assemble more than 1,000 baskets to benefit those involved in the FIT program.
“Year one we had approximately 350 baskets and year two around 500. I believe this year we will increase to 1,000 baskets due to the partnership with Scouting America and the food they are collecting and donating to our district,” said Robles. “Without this network of committed volunteers, scaling from 500 baskets last year to 1,000 this year would be nearly impossible. Their dedication is the reason we can!”
The goal of this effort is to ensure every child and family feels supported during this holiday season. The baskets will be delivered to FIT program recipients this Saturday, Nov. 15. Any remaining food items will be donated to food pantries within Osceola’s schools ahead of winter break.
