SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)- Almost exactly one year ago, the Girl Scouts of Central New York were told to stop selling their famous cookies. Their largest fundraiser, brining in $600 million annually, was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, a year later, the Scouts are back to their selling ways, but this time with some different delivery methods.
To adhere with safety protocols the Girl Scouts have created three alternative ways to get their tasty treats to their hungry customers. Consumers can either order online or on the GrubHub app, pick up boxes at weekend drive thrus, or buy the cookies at local businesses.
“Before COVID, we went to restaurants and we met a lot of people,” Daphne Jackson a scout in Troop 10053 said. “Now we really do it contactless.”
Each Girl Scout has a personal cookie selling website that they share with friends and family. People can go online and order what they want and have it delivered right to their door.
“That’s something that has been around for quite a few years, but definitely being utilized much more this season” Jaime Alvarez the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications of Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways said.
New this year is Grubhub. The Girl Scouts of America created a partnership with the food delivery app, so now customers can order on their phones and have the cookies delivered the same day.
“It was a little slow going at first because it does take about a week to two weeks of advertising for folks to realize they can get that in the area,” Alvarez said. “It’s just another creative way we are pivoting and trying to help the girls have a successful program.”
Online ordering is not the only way you can get your cookie fix this year, however. The local troops have created pick up drive thrus around Central New York, including at the State Fair Grounds, Onondaga Community College and Lorenzo’s Wholesale. The drive thrus are only open on the weekends, but are the Scouts best sales method.
“The drive thrus are working out very well,” Gina Cooper the Cookie Coordinator for the Greater Syracuse Service Unit said. “We’re cranking out about 150 to 200 boxes in a two hour shift.”
The Girl Scouts are stopping there. They’ve also partnered with local businesses to help sell their cookies. These businesses put the treats on display and customers can purchase them right there. Then all of the proceeds go back to the Troop.
“The community has been so wonderful to embrace the Troops and to help them through this time,” Alvarez said.
Check out the cookie locations in Central New York:
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The Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways have set a goal of 1.5 million boxes sold this year. They are on track, but there’s only a couple weeks remaining in the selling season. So, if you need to quench that sweet tooth, go grab yourself some delicious Girl Scout Cookies.
