For the first time since 1999, all boxes of Girl Scout Cookies will have a new look and purpose: to inspire consumers and engage them on the important role that Girl Scouts plays in girls’ lives. The new packaging showcases the five financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills that the Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches girls: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. The sale, which is being held throughout southeast Louisiana’s 23 parishes from Jan. 18-March 17, has developed many female entrepreneurs since the program began in the early 20th century.
According to Alisha Moore, vice president of sales at Girl Scouts Louisiana East, the new package design captures moments that show the power of girls working together as they engage in activities like greening a park, volunteering at a soup kitchen and traveling to Paris. It also features the GreenPalm logo, which speaks to the organizational commitment to addressing conservation and sustainability concerns related to Girl Scout Cookies.
“The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led financial literacy program in the country,” said Moore. “Last year, Girl Scouts in our local council sold nearly 1.25 million boxes of cookies, with 200 girls selling 500 boxes or more.”
Girl Scouts began taking cookie orders Jan. 18. The eight varieties include Thin Mints, Samoas, Trefoils, Tagalongs, Do-Si-Dos, Dulce dc Leche, Thank You Berry Munch and Savannah Smiles. Cookies are $4 per box upon delivery, and are preservative-free and kosher, with zero trans fat per serving. Cookies will be sold at various booth locations throughout the 23 parishes served by the council March 1-17. Customers will be able to find the location and times of Girl Scout cookie booth sales online or through the Cookie Locator mobile app, downloadable from the iTunes store, or by calling **GSCOOKIES (**472665437) from a mobile phone.
All Cookie proceeds remain within the council’s jurisdiction, funding troop activities with the remainder helping the council to maintain properties, train and recruit volunteers and support council initiatives. This year’s theme of “What Can a Girl Do A World of Good” also encourages girls to use their cookie money to complete a Cookies for a Change Take Action project that positively impacts others. Troops will promote their Take Action project by designing a video to go on the council’s You Tube channel.
Additionally, Gift of Caring remains a popular community service project in which girls encourage customers to buy cookies for donation to a non-profit, service or military organization selected by the troop. Last year 2,325 girls participated in Gift of Caring, with over 22,000 boxes of cookies going to 500 different organizations.
This year Girl Scout troops/groups will also have the chance to exhibit their creativity when they “Bling” their cookie booths to gain extra customer attention and win troop prizes.
For more information about Girl Scouts, call the council office in New Orleans at 504-733-8220, or visit its website at www.gsle.org.