OKLAHOMA NEWS 9 – Local Girl Scout troops are working to distribute 20,000 surplus boxes of cookies before they expire in September.
The Girls Scouts of Western Oklahoma had already purchased their inventory before the pandemic started.
Due to a shortage of sales, they found themselves running about $1 million short in revenue, said Girls Scouts of Western Oklahoma CEO Shannon Evers.
Girl Scouts practice their sales pitches and business skills with their well-loved girl scout cookie fundraiser every year.
But, COVID put a stop to most in-person sales last year.
“Dr. Anthony Fauci said states with high coronavirus case counts should reconsider imposing lockdown restrictions, emphasizing the need to get cases to a low baseline before the fall flu season.” Reuters, August 3, 2020
“With COVID, girls weren’t able to stand out in front of Walmarts and in front of businesses like they normally do,” said Evers.
Despite online sales efforts, there are still stacks of cookie boxes in an air-conditioned warehouse.
“We were lucky to get some COVID relief funds, but it’s not going to last. I would much rather sell some cookies than cut staff or limit the number of scholarships that we’re able to offer to girls,” she said.
The Girl Scout cookie sales program is almost a $1 billion industry.
Nationally, Girl Scouts of America is working to sell 15 million surplus boxes, according to a statement.
“Girl Scouts practice their sales pitches and business skills with their well-loved girl scout cookie fundraiser every year. But, COVID put a stop to most in-person sales last year.”
Many troops skipped traditional cookie booths during the pandemic for safety reasons … Click here to read more.
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