Help avert the Troop 10478’s cookie crisis

Our beloved Girl Scouts are dealing with a serious cookie crisis this year, due to a confluence of issues due in no small measure to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

As recently as of this March, the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York reported they were not able to bake their delectable desserts due to supply chain problems — an issue many bakers, chefs, restaurants, supermarkets and others in the food industry became concerned about and then had to grapple with ever since COVID broke out in the U.S. in early 2020.

Little Brownie Bakers of Louisville, Ky., which has been providing cookies to the Scouts for more than three decades, didn’t specify which ingredients are in short supply. It did make a statement that online ordering for Girl Scout cookies was extended to May 8.

In addition to that headache, local troop members, like those of Troop 10478, have been challenged by Mother Nature. Members of Troop 10478 live within the financially challenged North East (Webutuck) and Dover Union Free Central School Districts.

Under normal circumstances, the troop would have not only sold much of its original cookie stock, said Troop Leader Wendy McDougall, but already have placed orders to restock its cookie supply at least twice.

However, as of press time on Tuesday, May 10, Troop 10478 had more than 1,500 boxes remaining from its first original order still on hand, still waiting for customers to buy the baked goods. Much of the reason why is because many of the Girl Scouts’ scheduled cookie sales were rained out this spring.

The lack of sales places an extra strain on the 28 members of the Webutuck/Dover troop, where members reside in communities whose residents live in nearly 50% poverty, according to McDougall.

The Scout leader further explained that cookie sales help the girls fund regular Scout costs like badges, medals and other expenses. Without those cookie proceeds members must pay for such fees themselves, which as we all know can add up quickly.

The cookie sales go a long way in helping troop members make up the difference, said McDougall, as normally the Girl Scouts organization charges parents for badges, medals, etc. Because Troop 10478 has “multiple families that don’t even have a vehicle,” those sales level the field for local girls longing to be Scouts who are financially disadvantaged.

Of course, all of that depends on actually selling the cookies. As mentioned in volunteer reporter Carol Kneeland’s front page article this week, all of Troop 10478’s remaining cookies will soon be sold at locations now listed on Facebook, with the Dover Elementary School parking lot being a likely spot.

Those located as far north as Millerton interested in ordering the famed Thin Mints or any other variety of Girl Scout cookies should call or text 845-821-8532 to arrange for a delivery or pickup.

Payment may be made through Venmo@troop10478. Donations are also greatly appreciated.   

There are presently roughly 2.5 million youth and adult Girl Scouts worldwide. The organization was founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low; its motto is “Do a good turn daily.”

We hope you will, and if you are able to that good turn will include reaching out to support our local Troop 10478 with a purchase of their tasty treats.

Trust us when we say it will mean a lot to those 28 young ladies. We are sure they will savor the sweetness of such support, the result of a community pulling together to offer help when it’s needed most.