Due to last year’s overwhelming success, The Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore are delighted to continue its “Gift of Caring” program in partnership with the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Gift of Caring is an optional program developed for Girl Scouts as a service project where each troop/group can donate cookies to worthwhile causes. Troops can decide to participate in this partnership or choose a different organization.

How the program works

• Before the cookie sale, the troop/group makes a commitment to participate in the Gift of Caring program activity.
• Attach a “Gift of Caring” certificate to the front of the girl order card to show the name of the organization.
• While order taking, each girl asks customers if they would like to purchase an additional package of cookies as a gift for the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The girl explains this is a Girl Scout service project and shows the “Gift of Caring” certificate.
• A blank column is available on the girl order card to track “Gift of Caring” sales in their order.
• Each customer may write the number of packages they wish to purchase for donation by entering a number in the blank column.
• If a troop/group chooses a different organization, customers may select cookies. Indicate varieties selected.
• Each troop/group totals the number of “Gift of Caring” packages sold. Money received for the “Gift of Caring” is included with the troop deposit.
• Girls collect the money for customer orders and “Gift of Caring” cookies when they deliver the cookies to the customers. If a customer has only purchased cookies for the “Gift of Caring” activity, it is acceptable to collect that money at the time of the sale.
• At the conclusion of the sale, girl representatives from the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore will present the donation to the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties on behalf of all the participating troops.

Gift of Caring Tips

• Use your extra boxes from the full cases that you order to fulfill your Gift of Caring orders. The Gift of Caring orders do not need to be any specific variety.
• Use the designated column (first one) to document amount of boxes for the Gift of Caring . Be careful not to add your Gift of Caring boxes in twice!
• Need extras to fulfill your Gift of Caring pledges? If after your extra boxes from the full cases have been depleted and you are still in need of boxes, simply contact the council and it will complete the order. Document these boxes in the first column, designated for your Gift of Caring cookies, “for your records only.” Do not add them in with the variety totals. Please make a note of it on the troop worksheet so we are sure your troop receives credit for your donation.
• We offer options for the collection of Gift of Caring boxes. Troops can bring their donations directly to a council service center, check with others in their service unit to join forces and save gas, or contact one of the product sales team members at either council office.