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KIRKSVILLE, MO -- Get ready for visitors to stop by your door to help the community.

The Black Diamond District of Boy Scouts of America will be taking part in the annual "Scouting for Food" event this weekend.

Beginning 9 a.m. this Saturday, the scouts will be stopping by door to door in communities all over northeast missouri.

They will be stopping by door to door to be collecting bags of non-perishable food items such as can goods or anything that doesn't need to be refrigerated.

Group leaders say this help teaches the boys that they can make a difference in their communities.

"One of the things we try to teach the boys is that they can make an impact in their community regardless of their age. This is an opportunity for them to help out families in need. This is also an opportunity for them to reach out and help people who they need help," said Scott Meredith, District Executive of the Black Diamond District of Boy Scouts of America.

The boy scouts are hoping the community will step up and help.

"We normally generate three to four thousand pounds of food in Kirksville alone. That goes a long way for a family that is struggling or in between jobs or been displaced. I think it's important for the community to help out when they can," Meredith said.

All the food collected will be donated to local food pantries in Adair, Sullivan, Putnam, Linn, Knox, Shelby, Macon, Schuyler, and Scotland Counties.