Eight Ways Girl Scouts Give Back

Girl Scouts give back all year-round, but you already knew that! There are so many ways her G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ energy and caring make a difference in her community—whether she and her Girl Scout friends are working on a Take Action Project after a Girl Scout Journey, working towards one of their Girl Scout Highest Awards, or giving back simply because they want to!

If you’re looking for how your Girl Scout troop can give back, here are just a few of the ways Girl Scouts give back across the country:

1. Organize a food drive 

These Girl Scouts collected over 100 cans and goods for
Chavelyta’s Pink Hood Foundation for patients and families
who have been affected by cancer.

Troop 40772 donated food, made sandwiches and packaged food and served it to those in need.
They also sponsored a family and purchased gifts and necessities to make this season bright!

Junior Troop 2966 collected Thanksgiving dinners for the Salvation Army.
They decorated the boxes and included cards for the families that would receive them. 

GSGLA Ambassador Troop 3913 donated over 20 bags of groceries to the Women’s Shelter of Long Beach.

2. Send care packages to Armed Forces or combat veterans 

Troop 40116 from Iowa donated t-shirts, socks, puzzle books, cologne to Combat Veterans.
They will donate to all the Veterans that live in our retirement homes.

3. Organize a toy drive 

Troop 42905 from Kansas set out Girl Scout trees to collect 500 gifts for our local foster kids!
They also collected donations for a local animal shelter.

4. Spread cheer by caroling at your local nursing home 

5. Collect or make warm clothing to donate

6. Volunteer at a local food pantry or soup kitchen

Troop 30766 helped out at the local food bank! They
also did Halloween caroling at a nursing home this year.
Last year they organized a toy drive for a an organization that helps the homeless.
Community service is a big focus for this troop!

7. Organize a drive for children in foster care or children in your local hospital 

8. Find a local issue directly affecting your community 

Troop 3029 from Florida had a wonderful giving back to Kids Fest,
even though many of the girls in the troop did not have lights or water, and
some girls are without homes. 

Junior Troop 1990 put together Boxes of Love to send to children in Port au Prince, Haiti.
They will also be taking holiday goodies and singing carols at a nursing home in a couple weeks,
and laying wreaths at the National Cemetery in Titusville, FL.

Some Girl Scout troops give back in many different ways not just during the holiday season, but all throughout the year. 

For more inspiration and ideas, check out how other Girl Scout troops are giving back. Don't forget to share your stories on social media using #GirlScoutsGiveBack or email to socialmedia@girlscouts.org.