There will be fewer hungry people this holiday season after the largest food collection effort in the United States was completed Saturday. Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts from across Warren County collected food items Nov. 19 as part of the annual Scouting for Food drive. Scouts delivered bags to county residents Nov. 12 with a request that they fill them with food items. Wright City Pack 835 Den Leader Lea Welter said collection results were evident of the community's support. "We're doing pretty good," she said. Pack 835 Scouts sorted their cans at Open Hearts Church in Wright City. "Wright City has been so fantastic," said Open Hearts Food Pantry Manager Geri Tucker. Tucker said although the Wright City Fire Protection District had finished its food drive during the weekend of Halloween, the community still did its part in supporting the scouts. "It hasn't even been 30 days and to see this back-to-back in less than a month is unbelievable," Tucker said. "We could not do this without the support of Wright City." The food items collected, according to Tucker, will supply the Open Hearts pantry with enough food for the entire year. Ten-year-old Cub Scout Jacob Randle said he was pleased to be a part of the effort that provides meals to those who are less fortunate than him. "It feels good helping people," he said. "My favorite part is to collect the food and put it where it goes." Seven-year-old Cub Scout Paul Thomson was matter-of-fact when asked why he enjoyed collecting food items. "It makes me feel happy," he said. Boy Scout Christian Winds, 13, said although the collection was hard work, it was well worth the cause. "It's a little bit of hard work," he said. "It feels really great because some people can't afford (food) and it's good to know you're actually helping people." Assistant Cubmaster Jeff Harnetz and his Cub Scout Pack 983 convened at Agape Ministries in Warrenton to categorize their collected food items. "The support of the community has been well," he said. "Regardless of the economy, people are still willing to help. "I'm glad the Scouts could help and be a part of this," he added. "They worked hard. It's been a wonderful thing. Every year, we can help the community and we're helping our young scouts grow." Boy Scouts Troop 22 also organized their collected food items at Agape. Assistant Scoutmaster Dan Jackson said the collection provided a time for the community to show its support of those in need. "It's great that the community gives as much as they do, especially in these economic times," he said. "It's important more than ever for people to be recipients of this than ever before." Pack 983 and Troop 22 collectively raised over 2,000 food items.