The Daily Freeman is reporting the Rip Van Winkle Council of the Boy Scouts of America collected more than 76,000 food items during its annual Scouting for Food drive, Sat., Nov. 11. The food collected will be distributed to 44 food pantries and soup kitchens in Ulster and Greene counties. More than 1,500 Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, with the help of 1,000 leaders and parents, collected the food and gave it directly to the food pantries. An additional 1,000 volunteers from the pantries, churches, service clubs and fire departments helped sort and pack food for the pantries. If anyone missed the collection period, the council suggests they take items to a local food pantry or church, or call (845) 339-0846 to arrange for a pick-up. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.