By Chris Rhatigan, Register Correspondent

MILFORD — The Milford Boy and Cub Scouts will hold their fifth annual Thanks for Giving Food Drive Friday through Sunday to provide food for 200 local families.

The Scouts will staff tables at supermarkets and camp out at Wasson Field, where they will collect donations. During the last five years, the Scouts have collected more than 30,000 pounds of food, 700 turkeys and $2,000 for this cause.

The food drive started five years ago when then-7-year-old Tyler Pelham was watching footage of the destruction Hurricane Katrina caused. He told his father, Kevin, that he wanted to do something about it.

Kevin Pelham suggested his son act closer to home. Since then, the father-son team has helped organize the event. Kevin Pelham said it’s the Scouts, though, who really make it happen.

“This really is a Scout event,” he said. “Scouting is really good. It’s a great thing to be a part of.”

Tyler Pelham, now 12, said he enjoys the event each year and likes pitching in for a good cause.

“I like that I get to camp with all my friends,” he said. “I find it fun, and I feel good about helping other people who are less fortunate.”

In the past, the food drive collected donations for about 50 families each year. This year, they decided to bump that number up to 200. The names of families in need are provided by Milford’s Department of Human Services.

“We need more help than ever this year,” Kevin Pelham said.

The Scouts collect the donations and then distribute them to families. Kevin Pelham said Tri City Appliance is crucial in helping out with distribution. Continued...

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The Thanks for Giving Food Drive will be held around the clock beginning at noon Friday and continuing into Sunday at Wasson Field behind the Parsons Government Center. The Souts will collect non-perishable items and frozen turkeys.

Donations also will be collected on those days at local supermarkets Stop & Shop, Shop Rite, Adams and Wal-Mart.

Chris Rhatigan can be reached at chris.rhatigan@gmail.com.

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