DeKalb County buys 20K boxes of unsold Girl Scout cookies for food distribution program

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The DeKalb County government is snatching up 20,000 boxes of unsold Girl Scouts cookies sitting in a metro Atlanta warehouse.

Channel 2 Action News first told you about the problem last week.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 700,000 boxes of unsold Girl Scouts cookies totaling nearly $3 million are stacked inside a warehouse in Alpharetta.

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“This is not simply about buying Girl Scout cookies,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “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 participate in Girl Scouts. Every box sold gives a girl a greater opportunity to lead and succeed.”

Funding from the sale of cookies makes up nearly 20% of DeKalb County troops’ funding for scholarships and educational, social and civil programs.

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

These cookies will be distributed during the county’s monthly food distribution benefitting 3,600 families. The Atlanta Community Food Bank will also distribute some of these boxes.

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Approximately 5,600 Girl Scouts and 2,400 volunteers call DeKalb County home.

To receive one of 3,600 COVID-19 Care Baskets from the DeKalb County government, you can go to any of the four drive-through locations below on Saturday, May 1 starting at 10 a.m.

• James R. Hallford Stadium, 3789 Memorial College Ave., Clarkston, GA 30021
• Former K-Mart store parking lot at 5597 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340
• Buck Godfrey Stadium, 2817 Clifton Springs Rd., Decatur, GA 30034
• Big Miller Grove Missionary Baptist Church - 3800 Big Miller Grove Way, Stonecrest, GA 30038

Millions of dollars of unsold Girl Scouts cookies stacked up in metro Atlanta warehouse