Girl Scouts donate more than 81,000 packages of cookies

Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains have donated more than 81,000 packages of Girl Scout cookies to hometown heroes, those in the military, and to those simply in need this year. The donation was over four times the number donated last year, and a likely record for the council.

The donations came about through the generosity of those who decided to buy packages at cookie booths and donate to a troop’s particular charity or through the Girl Scouts’ Gift of Caring initiative, those who made donations online once the pandemic struck and kept girls from selling in person, and also through the Girl Scout Council deciding that unsold cookies would best benefit people in need and to thank hometown heroes and military for their service.

The council, which serves over 10,000 girls in New Hampshire and Vermont, has long participated in the Gift of Caring, allowing contributions to the community and service to our country. That initiative was expanded to include essential workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. More than 16 hospitals, medical departments and Red Cross locations received cookies; along with 18 military-related organizations like the National Guard, Veterans Administration, Pease Greeters, and veterans’ homes; plus police departments, fire departments, charitable organizations, food pantries, and others.

The Vermont Foodbank and the New Hampshire Food Bank were grateful to receive thousands of packages of Girl Scout cookies, which immediately went out the door to people feeling the pinch in this difficult time.

Those who bought cookies as donations power the Girl Scout experience, providing funding for girls to participate in the largest entrepreneurial program for girls in the world. Through Girl Scouts, girls from kindergarten through 12th grade learn essential life skills, become leaders, blaze new trails, and excel in STEM fields.

Girl Scouts’ mission is to make the world a better place for all, and cookies not only bring smiles, they fund the programs, activities, and support staff that enables Girl Scouts to help girls become young women of courage, confidence and character.