Boy Scouts from three mountain area troops collected over 2,200 pounds of food items and more than $700 for those who are in need last Saturday at grocery stores in Crestline, Blue Jay and Lake Arrowhead.

Several dozen Boy Scouts, troop leaders and parents, who set up shop in front of Goodwin’s, Jensen’s and Stater Bros. markets between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., collected foods ranging from canned goods to fresh vegetables and bakery items, which will be donated to Operation Provider in Rimforest.

By noon, Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 89 stationed in front of Goodwin’s Market in Crestline had already collected five or more shopping carts, each containing approximately 100 pounds of food, as well as cash donations from generous store customers. A troop adviser said the 18 Scouts from Troop 89, which is based in Lake Arrowhead, are very active and that they enjoy mountain biking and going on campouts to Joshua Tree National Monument, where they enjoy rock climbing. In the near future, they plan on a white-water rafting adventure on the Colorado River.

Meanwhile, three Scouts from Troop 55, along with two troop leaders at Jensen’s Market in Blue Jay, were collecting more groceries bound for Operation Provider. According to troop leader Cathy Terreri, 11 troop members recently went camping at the beach. They also enjoy canoeing and campouts at Joshua Tree. “It feels good to help the less fortunate, especially during these times,” Terreri said.

Asked what inspired him to become a Boy Scout, Ryan Terreri, 14, from Lake Arrowhead said, “I knew I would learn a lot of life skills and become a well-rounded person.”

By mid-afternoon, two members of Boy Scout Troop 251, also based in Lake Arrowhead, had accumulated nearly five shopping carts of groceries donated by Stater Bros. customers. “We’re working on five baskets, almost 500 pounds of food, so far,” said Hunter Maxey, one of the six members of Troop 251. “We’re small, but mighty,” added Scouting Committee Chair Kim Barlow.