DeKalb Co. Will Buy 20K Boxes Of Girl Scout Cookies For Donation

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — DeKalb County will buy 20,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies from local troops for its monthly food distribution event Saturday and for the Atlanta Community Food Bank — a decision that will help relieve the stockpile of cookies due to the pandemic, get the treats in hands of those in need and help fund local Girl Scouts, officials said.

About 720,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies are sitting unsold in metro Atlanta warehouses due to COVID-19 pandemic. Cookie sales make up about 20 percent of the funding for DeKalb County troops, according to a news release, which helps fund membership scholarships and various educational, social and civil programs.

“This is not simply about buying Girl Scout cookies,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said. “This is about investing in the future of young girls in DeKalb County. Without the cookie program, many girls from low income households could not afford to be participate in Girl Scout. Every box sold gives a girl a greater opportunity to lead and succeed.”

That's a lot of Thin Mints, Samoas and Tagalongs waiting to be devoured.

Some of the boxes purchased will be included in packages distributed during DeKalb's monthly food distribution scheduled for this Saturday. The county has held these food distribution events for almost a year to help alleviate food insecurity due to the pandemic.

The rest of the cookies will be donated to the Atlanta Community Food Bank for distribution within its network.

“I thank DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and the Board of Commissioners for this innovative partnership at a time when it is most needed,” said Amy Dosik, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta.

An exact cost estimate was not provided, but at roughly $4 per box, DeKalb's purchase is around $80,000 or more.

DeKalb County's food distribution is slated for Saturday starting at 10 a.m., during which 3,600 families will receive one 20-pound box of fruit and vegetables and a 10-pound package of chicken hindquarters on a first-come, first-served basis.

The distribution is slated at the four following locations:

• James R. Hallford Stadium, 3789 Memorial College Ave., Clarkston
• Former K-Mart store parking lot at 5597 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville
• Buck Godfrey Stadium, 2817 Clifton Springs Rd., Decatur
• Big Miller Grove Missionary Baptist Church - 3800 Big Miller Grove Way, Stonecrest