PICKENS COUNTY — For almost a century, the Girl Scouts annual cookie sale has helped young women across the country develop skills in business, goal-setting, and money management, all while raising money that will be kept and used in their local communities.
Girl Scout Cookies have come along way since they were first sold back in 1917.
According to the Girl Scout Handbook, five years after Juliette Gordon Low started Girl Scouts in the United States, the Mistletoe Troop out of Muskogee, Okla., baked cookies at home and then sold them in the local high school’s cafeteria as a community service project.
The rest is history.
Although troops no longer bake and package their own cookies, the annual cookie sale is still going strong and despite the 50 cent price increase from last year.
“I have 212 cases coming to my house this year, from pre-orders alone,” said Christine Wyatt, leader of Easley Troop 2580. “Last year I had 200. They conquer my dining room.”
Once the cases have been delivered, kiosks will begin popping up around the county.
“If you didn’t pre-order any, you won’t miss out. The girls will be setting up shop in front of Lowe’s Home Improvement, Walmart and Sam’s Club in Pickens and Anderson Counties in the next few weeks,” said Wyatt. “The boxes should come in between February 12 and 18 and then the door to door sales and the kiosks will kick off on the 19th.”
According to Wyatt, all the classic favorites are back with one new addition: the Trio, which is gluten free. The cookies are $4 a box, except for the Trio, which is $5, said Wyatt.
As always, all the money raised stays with the local troops and councils.
To find a cookie booth near you or to order cookies online, visit www.girlscouts.org. Cookie sales will run through March 13.
