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McKinney Food Pantry is full of beans
By Lynne Weinberger
Oct 16, 2008

‘Beans for Beanz’ Eagle Scout project far exceeds goal

McKinney High School junior Spencer Terry (also known as Beanz) was on an important mission. The Eagle Scout contender in Troop 531 had hoped to collect at least 600 pounds of dry beans for the Community Food Pantry of McKinney after learning that the popular legumes were almost impossible to keep stocked on the pantry’s shelves. The Food Pantry goes through 600 pounds of dried beans each month, so Spencer decided to make that his Eagle project’s goal.

A sousaphone player in the McKinney High School Royal Pride Band, he put a collection box in the high school band hall, talked about the project with a neighbor who wrote an article for the press, and otherwise spread the message about his project by word of mouth.   

He and his family even wore ‘Beans for Beanz’ T-shirts he designed and had made especially to promote the effort. 

News about the project quickly spread, according to his mother, Carol. “I have to admit that I was taken aback at how generous people were when they found out about the project. I mentioned it at my Bunco group and the next day several pounds of beans showed up on the front porch,” she laughed.

“After the word went out,” she continued, “calls started coming in and then beans started showing up on the porch, in the band hall, at scouts and even at work. Spencer even got calls from fellow summer camp staff scouts as far away as Sherman, TX who saw his article in the paper.” 

To help increase the amount he ultimately collected, Spencer approached several grocery stores about donating to his cause.  Market Street McKinney offered to match, pound for pound, the amount of beans Spencer collected. Tom Thumb offered to contribute, as well.  

Spencer’s parents said that the pick up of several 50-pound bags of beans at Market Street was quite an experience to witness. As dad Ross recalled, “I saw people asking Spencer what he was going to do with all those beans. They were glad to help when they realized that he is doing what many of us find we're too busy to do on a regular basis: helping others as we should.”

“I know Spencer learned a lot about life and flexibility during the project, which in part is what it is for,” according to Carol.  Ross added, “Just like in the real world, those involved with Eagle Scout projects like this one found out they have to be flexible. Spencer had planned for Scouts and friends to collect beans at two different times the weekend that Hurricane Ike decided to come through town.  Afternoon collections changed to boxing and sorting events when the rain and wind prevented them from collecting.”

According to Spencer, the total amount of beans collected in just six weeks was a whopping 1576 pounds, almost triple his original goal. “Market Street alone helped by matching what I collected, donating 700 pounds - 14 bags of 50 pounds each - and Tom Thumb donated also. I am very appreciative of the grocery stores’ generosity in helping me surpass my goal. As an added bonus, Dill Investments donated 150 pounds of beans,” he said. 

Ross even got his co-workers involved in the effort. “My Weight Watchers group at Rockwell-Collins learned of the program at the start of their "Lose for Good" promotion. They decided to donate a pound of beans for each pound of weight that our local workers lost over the same six-week period. So beans will continue to come in,” he smiled.

Spencer summed up his effort this way: “The feeling of exceeding my goal by so much is overwhelming. I have to say, it was exciting to see the look on Eleanor Tidwell’s face at the food pantry as I unloaded the beans there. She just kept saying, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you!’” 

He continued, “The pantry never expected me to almost triple my goal. Ms. Tidwell informed me that the amount donated should last the food pantry all the way through Christmas.”  

According to Ross, “It’s clear the pantry can use the donations; rising prices and gas costs have hit everyone hard. It was nice to see my son get a great big hug of thank you from someone who serves the community by working in the food pantry. It all helps.”

Formed 31 years ago as an all-volunteer organization, the Community Food Pantry of McKinney, at 307 Smith Street just off Highway 5, provides groceries and referrals to families and individuals in need.  In one week alone, the pantry recently distributed 600 pounds of dried beans, leading to a severe and ongoing shortageIn 2007, groceries were provided to prepare over 108,960 meals. Those meals fed over 3,298 families that included 5,795 children and 5,101 adults. The organization remains all-volunteer.

For more information on the McKinney Community Food Pantry, visit www.volunteersolutions.org/vmc/org/224361.html. 

Spencer summed up his project this way: “Just the feeling of being able to help feed the needy citizens in McKinney makes me feel closer to them by helping to put food in their stomachs. I am honored to serve.”  

Spencer, McKinney is honored to have you among us.  

Spencer Terry wears the T-shirt he designed for his ‘Beans for Beanz’ Eagle Scout project.

Market Street of McKinney donated fourteen 50-pound bags of beans to match what Spencer Terry had already collected.

(l-r) Spencer and friends Brett Medeiros and Michael Barton load the car for delivery to the Community Food Pantry of McKinney.

Troop 531 Assistant Scout Master John Faubion and wife Tammy at the Community Food Pantry of McKinney with Spencer Terry.

Photos courtesy of the Terry family of McKinney