Eagle
Scout Matthew Miller offers a gift of food
By Rachel Riley
Eagle Scout Matthew Miller, of Gouverneur, had a unique idea for his
Troop 21 Eagle project… to organize and provide a free meal, once
a month, to anyone who wanted it.
This Saturday, February 27, will be the second time that Matthew’s
meal will be offered.
The First United Methodist Church, on Grove Street, in Gouverneur will
be hosting the meal of soup and sandwiches from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. this
Saturday and again on Saturday, March 27.
With the help of his father and den leader Robert Miller, Matthew collected
donations of food from Gouverneur area businesses and nearby Wal-Mart,
Price Chopper and Sam’s Club to start things off. With those
generous donations, and careful overseeing by Matthew, Troop 21, and
25 volunteers, over 112 meals were given out in January.
For this Saturday, a twist is being added, deliveries are an option
for those who are housebound… and there is plenty of room at the
church for walk in customers. Again, the meal is completely free
to anyone for any reason. The more the merrier.
With winter always proving to be a difficult time in the North Country,
Matthew decided he wanted to lend a helping hand in some small way to
those who have fallen on hard times.
“We like helping people and doing community service. This
is just another level,” said Matthew.
Mathew’s father Robert was glad to see how much support there
in the community.
“Pleasantly we were surprised by the businesses that helped. It
was also nice to see the reaction in some people when we delivered them
food. It is gratifying even in a small way to give back a little bit.
We were very pleased with how it went the first time”
The goal this time is to serve 150 meals. All non-perishable food that
is left over from these meals will be donated to the food pantry. Any
monetary donations will be given to the Methodist Church Mission Fund.
For more information on the next meal hand outs please call the Methodist
Church at 287-2440. If you know anyone who could use a meal please refer
them to the church on February 27 and again on March 27.
