SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Press Release) – The COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S. hard in the midst of cookie season. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure girls follow social distancing and other safety precautions, Girl Scouts-Dakota Horizons cancelled Girl Scout Cookie Booths and door-to-door sales in the final weeks of the program.

“The Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches girls important skills that help them be successful today and in the future,” CEO Marla Meyer shared. “As entrepreneurs, Girl Scouts take running their cookie businesses very seriously. With COVID-19, our Girl Scouts did a good job pivoting their business plans, becoming creative and showing their leadership in keeping safety and their community as the priority.”

Girl Scouts used Digital Cookie, an online storefront, that allowed customers to shop and have cookies shipped directly to them. The council offered a shipping discount to help support the program. Some Girl Scout troops sought out local businesses to buy out their remaining inventory.
At the close of the program, on March 31, the council worked to ensure that any remaining inventory did not cause a hardship to Girl Scouts and their troops.

“This change in plans meant that the council had some inventory available and we took a look at how we could use it to help other people out,” stated Girl Scouts-Dakota Horizons Board President Jennifer Baloun. “Giving back to our communities is at the heart of who we are as Girl Scouts so it felt natural to use the cookies to support those on the front line of the pandemic.”

Throughout the council’s 164,000 square miles, packages of cookies have been donated within several communities to healthcare workers, first responders, school administrators, trucking companies, and others on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Troop Co-Leader and Girl Scout Mom LaWanda Rock shared, “This year’s cookie season was unprecedented. Even when I was having a panic attack, my troop stayed positive and patient. It shows what can be done when we have to think outside the box.”

From field trips to camping to community service projects, Girl Scout Cookies fuel amazing experiences for girls. The community can still support the largest investment in girls annually by sponsoring the remaining Girl Scout Cookie inventory that will be donated in local communities, For more information contact Girl Scouts-Dakota Horizons at 1-800-666-2141.