Boy Scouts plant trees for Spartanburg's hungry

Published by the Spartanburg Herald Journal; to view the full article, click here. 

Marshall Rogers rolled up his sleeves and got to work Saturday planting 15 trees behind Total Ministries along South Pine Street.

He's a member of Boy Scout Troop 2 based out of First Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg. Rogers decided after a recent trip to London to plant the trees as part of his Eagle Scout service project. During his time in London, he found areas where apple and plum trees had been planted to help feed the homeless. It seemed like a good idea to do the same in Spartanburg.

Rogers and his fellow scouts from Troop 2 worked through the morning rain to plant apple and plum trees between Total Ministries and the Mary Black Rail Trail.

"We were really excited to get this done quickly," Rogers said. "People who are hungry can come back here and grab an apple or plum when they want."

Rogers, 16, is a student at Spartanburg Day School. He's learned a lot from the Scouts through the years.

"It's been really good and taught me leadership and life skills," Rogers said.

The project was also a collaboration between Total Ministries and Partners for Active Living. Southern Mulch and Piedmont Nursery provided supplies for the project.

Florian Sloan, 14, of Spartanburg said the project was fun. He used a shovel to help dig each of the holes where the trees were planted.

"It feels great to help out," Sloan said. "I think this is a huge step forward to making our city better and make people happy. We got all the work done fast and efficiently."

Another Scout — Thomas Van Vleet, 13, of Spartanburg — used a pickax to dig away a the dirt.

"We got here early and started planting the trees really fast," Van Vleet said. "I worked with my brother to help dump the mulch. I would do it all again to help out if I could."

Troop 2 Scoutmaster Bob Grier said Rogers worked hard to complete the project.

"He did a real good job," Grier said. "The leadership concept and enthusiasm of Marshall Rogers during his Eagle Scout project was amazing. It was amazing that he was able to get this many boys out here on a rainy cold morning, and I am glad they came out to support other Scouts. It brings something to everybody."

The apple and plum trees will help feed those who are food insecure through Total Ministries.