The cookies have landed: Girl Scouts start annual sale this week after Monday ‘Mega Drop’
Pickups, SUVs, even the occasional U-Haul lined up at the Stanislaus County Fairground on Monday morning, picking up thousands of boxes of cookies that will make their way to a Girl Scout sale near you this week.
The annual Girl Scout Cookie “Mega Drop” took place, with troop representatives from an 18-county region that extends from Yolo to Merced counties picking up Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Patties and the rest of the popular seasonal cookies.
It’s the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Girl Scouts, who are bringing back in-person sales after a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Girl Scouts are super resilient,” said Marcella Cooper, chief operating officer of the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California. “Last year we did a whole digital platform and went totally online (with sales).”
With reduced selling options, sales last year were overall lower than in previous years, but that is expected to reverse this year.
Though Scouts will be setting up booths outside stores, going door to door and hitting up their parents’ friends again, the online purchasing options will remain, Cooper said. Cookie enthusiasts can text “COOKIE” to 59618 to find a local sale or to order online.
“That allows them to be shipped, but proceeds will go to local troops,” Cooper said.
Among the Scouts on hand to help load up the cookies were Aubrey Morgan, 9, of Modesto and Kelly Caldwell, 10, of Ripon.
Aubrey has been involved in Scouting for two years, and said she mostly enjoys activities and arts and crafts. Kelly agreed, and both girls said they have sold more than 700 boxes of cookies this year.
“I ask my parents, and call friends and family,” Kelly said.
After selling hundreds of boxes, are they sick of Girl Scout cookies?
“No!” both girls insisted. Added Kelly, “You have to love ‘em.”
Booth sales start Friday. For more information, go online to the Girl Scouts’ “Find Cookies” site.
