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Eagle Scout Chooses to Help the Homeless May, 2005 Eagle Scout candidate Brian Schaeffer has dedicated the 150 hours required to obtain his Eagle Scout badge to the homeless people of Broward County, Florida. Brian, a 15 year old member of Troop 175, is a student of St. Thomas Aquines Catholic High School in Ft. Lauderdale. When he was trying to decide which social service project he should implement for his Eagle Scout badge, his pastor at St. Gregory's Church in Plantation suggested that he reach out to the homeless.  PHOTO (L to R): Eagle Scout Brian Schaeffer,15, and supporters Margarita Corredor, 15, Russell Clavelo, 14, and Scout Brian Condon, 15. Brian contacted The Cooperative Feeding Program, a lead agency in providing emergency food and other services to the hungry and homeless in Broward County, and started to collect personal hygiene products to be distributed to the homeless. "When people live on the street, the last thing they loose is their dignity", explained Brian as he packed toothpaste, razors and soap into individual bags. "They have nowhere to take a shower or receive help, which is why they come to The Cooperative Feeding Program". The Cooperative Feeding Program provides non-residential programs to between 300 and 500 people every day, including a hot meal, shower services and counseling. When the clients use the bathroom facilities, they now receive personal hygiene supplies collected by the Eagle Scout and his friends. "It was tough, I had to go door to door in Plantation asking people to help and explaining what it was like for the homeless people", the Scout described. "Some people closed the door in my face, but mostly people were concerned". "All too often adults dismiss today's young people as lazy, selfish and just tied to the TV or computer. Brian and his scouting friends show us that this is simply not the case" commented Marti Forman, CEO of The Cooperative Feeding Program. "The clients of The Cooperative Feeding Program have been relegated by mental illness, sickness and poverty to the extremes of society. Our combined efforts show them that they have not been forgotten". For more information, please contact Eagle Scout Brian Schaeffer at BrianS89@bellsouth.net or Marti Forman of The Cooperative Feeding Program at (954) 792-2328. 
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