to think the bag packers might be at the wrong end of the tills

[5Foot5]

Today I did the Big Christmas Food Shop and, after toiling my way around the supermarket, I was slightly dismayed on reaching the tills to see that the Scouts were doing a bag-pack. Now I don't want to be mean but I am really not keen to have some well-meaning but fumbling child pack my shopping at any time, when I am about to spend a small fortune on all my Christmas food then this is true in spades. I have nothing but admiration for the people who give up their own time to run organisations like this but I felt that only a man (and I know it doesn't have to be the case but today all the scout masters were men) would think this bag-pack was a good idea on the weekend before Christmas.

So, I know this doesn't have to be a problem as I can just politely say "No, thank you" and give them a donation anyway. However, as I was watching the lady in front of me put her shopping on the conveyor belt it suddenly occurred to me that there is a much more useful service that they could offer.

Have you ever been in that situation where you have bought loads and find that by the time your shopping is being scanned you are still at the end of the belt unloading your trolley? You can see all your shopping piling up at the other end and you can't get to bag it until you have finished getting it all out. That is where the bag-packers would come in handy. Not mangling your shopping by packing it in bags any old how but simply getting it out of the trolley for you so that you can go down to the other end and pack it yourself.

I ran this idea past the woman in front of me in the queue and she agreed with me.

So, to anyone out there who organises this sort of activity - just a thought for future events.....

WRT local charities - yes, great idea, and the scouts do a lot for local good causes.

The overseas project - the whole idea is to create an opportunity within the local economy, but when people are so poor, have no expertise, no resources, no money and no knowledge or education, someone has to physically go and give them a bit of help to get started. I would rather support a small project than a massive charity that spends millions on advertising, posh houses and big salaries for their chief executives.

I have worked for a couple of very well known charities and have been really shocked at what goes on TBH.

Plus, the scout project has built friendships and trust on both sides.

Unfortunately "bob a job" is no longer considered a safe activity for young people to do - I don't know if I'd be happy for my children to be knocking on the doors of strangers. I would be happy to supervise though, I suspect many parents can't be bothered and it's those kids for whom getting involved in things is most valuable. It's not fair to ask leaders to give up any more of their time I don't think.

I have to disagree that they were in the way - certainly not in the supermarket we were in. Many of the kids involved in Scouting don't get other opportunities to have trips even if that is what they are raising the money for. Also when they are raising funds for trips, many of these are so that they can undertake charity work when they are there.

I personally have my own system for my bags too, but I am happy to say to them that I'd like to pack myself, next time I will ask if they would load onto the conveyor instead as I'd never thought of that before.

swampytiggaa
I agree. Fund raising makes opportunities affordable for the kids who could never join in with anything otherwise.

I think the OP has made a brilliant suggestion, which i will pass on when my DC are bag packing tomorrow night for their scout troop. The money raised will keep the minibus on the road next year.

Just to add that as a group we also aim to raise cash for at least one shelterbox a year via a sponsored night hike. So not just raising money for ourselves.

swampytiggaa... You're sending 3 on Jambouree? How many deprived/underpriviledged children does that represent from your group then? The Christmas scout post is a great idea - there doesn't seem to be a local one in this area; I'd support it if there were and would happily pay well over the odds for it.

3littlefrogs... 'Bob a Job' isn't actually something that I'm very familiar with and, from what you've said, it probably wouldn't work in the way that it used to. Linking in with soontobeslendergirl, I think it would have to be a question of ALL can-be-bothered parents and willing supervisors pitching in to actually make it work as there must be some 'bob a job' activities that would still be safe in this politically correct gone mad time. What about 'shopping for the elderly'? Done under supervision? Gardening in the Summer?

Going back to the supermarkets again, this time of year is a nightmare; there seem to be more children accompanying shoppers, these are at the end of the checkouts too and cluttering up the walkway out of the shop. It adds to the problem. Is there potential for scout groups to get involved in the sorting out/redistribution of 'in date' food to foodbanks, etc.? Many supermarkets are now signing up to assist foodbanks and scouts could provide a resource for that.

Regarding trips abroad; I just don't support these. There are too many charities 'at home' and international ones that need support. It would cost far less, surely, to assist in a similar labouring project in the UK? I don't see the benefit in sending children (who haven't the expertise) to assist a village overseas (that needs the expertise but doesn't have it). Some things are going to be within the province of the 'rich'; not equitable but it is actually 'fair'. There are lots of activities that can fundraise; you can't always get the low-hanging - and profitable - fruit of supermarket packing.

I had my boys out cutting grass in the estate last summer to help raise funds for a trip that they ended up not going on. But that was a private endeavour on our part. We also handed out water at drink stations all day in the blazing sun for a Marathon event for which they got paid buttons (and they went round collecting all the plastic bottles that the runners tossed away as they were running) Every person, adult or child had their hands ripped to bits opening all the water bottles. (tip for anyone looking that is considering doing this, tell all the helpers to bring a rubber glove or similar).

We have had three selected this time. We have 2 full scout troops and a thriving explorer scout section. One has been selected from each group.

The Christmas post is fab. 25p per card delivered in the local area is anywhere scouts live or can access. Is always very popular.

We live by the sea. Lots of part time seasonal workers here.

That sounds good soontobeslendergirl, did it raise money for your group?

Collecting wood and tying it into bundles, delivering it to those homes with wood burning stoves? I'd pay for this quite happily!

BobaJob died out YEARS ago. (admittedly post decimalisation, but we're talking decades rather than years)

In recent years Scout Community Week has evolved, but you'll actually find that a lot of groups do ongoing stuff through out the year at their own local Old Folks Homes, local parks or community green spaces, rivers, etc.,or Churchyard clear ups, etc. The press aren't interested in reporting "bunch of nice kids give up their time to help in the community" though so you may not get to hear of it.

My dc used to do about 4 big car washes a year until about 2-3 years ago, but it doesn't make them money anymore, as there are so many "hand car wash for £3" places sprung up all over the City, so people don't wait until there is a Scout one like they used to.

I don't get why people have to moan about the Scouts helping out / raising money in this way though - just say "no thanks" when they ask you if they can help. End of.

If we subscribe to the adage that it takes a village to raise a child, then I think that we should be supporting the efforts of organisations that are trying to instil some social responsibility and morals into young people, whether that be financially or simply with a smile and a bit of encouragement. It also does no harm to tell them how you want the bag packed so that they know better for the future.

Personally, I can afford to pay my share of any camp money. We are not well off, but we go without luxuries to ensure that our children have opportunities,. Some children aren't in that boat, the money we raise helps them to have some and also gives them values to take through life.

swampytiggaa... That is REALLY cheap. I would pay £1 per card. Is it all year or just Christmas?

I know what you mean about readily available seasonal labour but wouldn't your local businesses pay to assist your groups to do whatever the jobs are - or at least some of them?

Lying witching - yes, they raised a fair bit and we paid for the petrol for the mower. They also offered to run errands but didn't get a lot of take up which I was actually happy about - the local shop that they could walk too isn't in a very nice area and has druggies hanging about so I would have had to drive them elsewhere.

It does pay well though...really adds up. My DD and her friends did a stint in Morrisons one Saturday, and when they counted up all the money in their buckets they had over £500!!!!! Our school (primary) took our choir carol singing in a local supermarket for one hour and made over £100 in that time!!!

To be honest, if I find fund-raising bag packers when I'm shopping I usually say no, but give a small donation anyway.

BackforGood

Our group do lots of activities throughout the year like the ones you mentioned. No-body pays them anything. It is part of their ethos to help the community.

I think this is a really good thing, and I admire and respect the scout leaders who do so much for the kids.

Our local scout leader is an absolute star.

Scan and Shop

No conveyor
Pack as you go round as you wish
Stuff goes in trolley once
No checkout assistants/bag packers/tutters/purse finders.
Talk to nobody

Every time.

I would actually like them to come home with me, unpack it and put it all away as I hate that bit!

Do you think they'd make a brew and wash up too...?

Post is only at Christmas. We do regular litter picks on the beach just to help the local environment. Huge fun actually!

I am a beaver leader :) we remind our colony that scouts help each other and also the wider community. We manage to find fun in all our activities.

Ooh that's a good idea Deckthehalls

The Scout leader probably didn't get a choice which weekend it was; the local supermarket does bag packing and allocates a weekend to the different organisations who want to do it.

In our local tesco bag packers are only allowed on every other till. It must be a bit of a pain for the staff really as the tills without bag packers can have 2+ people queuing whilst others remain empty. It's why I'm not sure I agree with them as it seems to rely on people not being able to say no thanks rather than on goodwill.

I rarely have cash on me at the supermarket so don't donate.

I think you are all grumpy and ungrateful. "Ohhhh don't want "children" touching my shopping less they pack it wrong! The sentiment is what counts. If they have no bags to pack for grumpy old folks then the fund raiser comes to an end sooner or later. How belittling and mean spritited.

Haven't re read whole thread but in response to above - till operators are trained to pack bags. All tins together, all veges, all frozen etc. And you put the groceries on the checkout in those groups. Easy. We all help each other.

Octopus - I suspect the Leaders would have requested this week. A normal bag pack during the year tends to raise about £5 per person, per hour. (around here). This weekend, it's been raising around £12 / person / hour..... I know which weekend I'd rather put my 6 hours in.
Also seems to indicate to me that the general public at large (as opposed to MN) do like to see the young people out and about doing their bit to earn their money. You always get lots of positive comments.