Time running out for cookies

Local Girl Scouts Katelyn Marcum, left, of Troop 1119, and Angela Marcum of Troop 2909, make a cookie sale to Carolyn Mansfield yesterday. This is the last week of the annual cookie sale that helps fund the organization. (Charles W. Johnson photo)

Girl Scouts from McMinnville will be selling Girl Scout cookies through March 9 – the final day of the annual Girl Scout cookie sale.

Cookie booth sales will be held at Kroger on Sparta Street on Friday, March 7, from 4 to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, March 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

In addition to supporting girls at booth sales, residents can call the Girl Scout cookie office at (800) 395-5318 to be connected to a Girl Scout troop selling cookies in their area. Community support for the cookie sale enables McMinnville-area Girl Scouts to participate in a wide range of community service activities and other programs. Girls will be participating this year in the Gift of Caring program in which they will donate cookies to the local Meal on Wheels program and other United Way agencies.

The Girl Scout cookie sale is an annual 65-year-old tradition. Girls often receive their first practical education in finance, marketing and communications by selling cookies. The cookie sale teaches girls personal safety habits.

Through participation in the cookie sale, girls gain a stronger sense of self-esteem as they learn to set realistic goals and work to achieve them. Girls also learn to handle money in a responsible manner.