New Boston Boy Scout helps hungry in surrounding area

NEW BOSTON, Texas—Thanks to a Scout member in the New Bostonbased Boy Scouts of America Troop 36, hungry and needy residents in both New Boston and DeKalb will have more food.

Troop 36 member Chris Cochran, 14, spent at least the last five weeks working on an Eagle Scout project, which involved reaching an initial goal of collecting 500 cans of food for the New Boston-based Manna Kitchen in the 300 block of North Center Street. However, as it turned out, Chris’ mom, Paula Cochran said she was surprised to see that her son had been blessed to receive a lot more.

As of 3 p.m., Sunday, Chris’ project not only netted 543 canned goods, it also took in 114 pounds of beans and rice, 85 industrial (larger) cans of food and at least 29 packages of potatoes, crackers, pasta, gravy mix and seasonings—in addition to $1,400 in cash donations.

“I’m so proud my son and rest of the Scouts,” Paula Cochran said. “He has a big heart and he has always liked helping others.”

For his part, Chris said its all been a joy for him and the rest of the Scouts.

“We all usually have a great time helping other people and I just like helping other when I can,” said Chris, a member of Rock Creek Baptist Church, said.

Chris added that helping others goes hand in hand with part of the Scout pledge to always be ‘respectful, kind, obedient and reverent.”

For Chris, the project, which he had to organize, plan and coordinate, was just one requirement for earning the designation of Eagle Scout. Some of the other requirements involve working a set number of community service hours as well as earning at least 21 merit bags, said Troop 36 Leader Tim Graham.

Some of New Boston’s local businesses which allowed Chris place his donation boxes outside their locations included Walmart, Brookshires, Anytime Fitness, David’s Hair Salon and Something Different Hair Salon in addition to the Bowie County Courthouse.

Sue Anderson, who recently took charge of the Manna Kitchen, said the kitchen cooks and prepares food before delivering meals to needy residents in both New Boston and DeKalb.

Staff photo by Greg Bischof ■ Boy Scouts of America Troop 36 member Chris Cochran, wearing glasses, receives help from fellow Scouts as they unload food supplies Sunday at New Boston’s Manna Kitchen. Chris organized the food collection as part of a requirement to receive his Eagle Scout designation.