Five-Year-Old Daisy Scouts’ Cookie Sales a Win-Win for Troop and Food Pantry of Waukesha County

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In the midst of all the change in our lives we can also find comfort in the familiar. One thing we can all count on around this time of year is the nostalgia of the Girl Scouts and the ever-popular Girl Scouts cookie program. This year Olivia Thompson, a five-year-old Daisy Scout from Greenfield, has gone above and beyond to help us all remember that the Girls Scouts is about much more than just selling cookies.

Olivia is an active member of Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast, Troop #1253 of St. Alphonsus Catholic School in Greendale, Wis. Each troop works together to determine a reasonable goal for the amount of cookies they will sell. Olivia’s troop, comprised of 16 Daisy Scouts, decided each girl would sell a minimum of 25 boxes, for a total of 400 boxes. Olivia and her mom talked about how it is a good idea to do more than is expected, and so she set her own personal goal of 80 boxes.

“I encouraged Olivia to practice how she would approach customers and what she would say,” said Sarah Thompson, Olivia’s mom. “Participating in the Girls Scouts cookie program is a great way for Olivia to learn about goal setting and helps to develop self-confidence.”

With her mom’s encouragement, Olivia far exceeded her own goal of 80 boxes and sold a total of 142 boxes of cookies. Not only did she exceed her goal, but she also struck a deal with her grandparents. Mark and Barbara Thompson, residents of Waukesha, agreed to match Olivia’s total boxes sold and donate those boxes to the Food Pantry of Waukesha County.

The Food Pantry of Waukesha County is a preferred charity of Mark and Barbara. They are the owners of The Roberts Group, Inc. a Waukesha marketing and communications firm that serves health care clients. The Roberts Group has provided pro bono marketing strategy and creative services to the Food Pantry of Waukesha County for the past two years. Several times each year, The Roberts Group employees also conduct internal office food drives to benefit the Food Pantry.

“When we first told Olivia we would match the number of boxes she sold and give them to the food pantry, her goal was 80 boxes,” said Barbara. “When her final total was 142 boxes we were stunned, but very proud of what she accomplished for both the Girl Scouts and the Food Pantry.”

The final cookie sales for Olivia’s troop was 1,381. The amount the troop raised entitles it to a return of 60 cents per box, which will be used to help with community projects, troop outings and scholarships. Olivia herself sold a total of 284 boxes, with 142 going directly to the Food Pantry of Waukesha County.

“The Food Pantry of Waukesha County appreciates the donation from Olivia’s grandparents, and we are grateful for the opportunity to provide treats to clients in addition to the nutritious options offered,” said Karen Tredwell, executive director of the Food Pantry of Waukesha County. “It is really special to see a five-year-old with the drive to exceed expectations, especially when the proceeds are going to two such great causes.”

The donated cookies will be delivered to the Food Pantry of Waukesha County within the next week or two by Olivia and her grandparents.