PHILANTHROPY
Sweet Treats
Girl Scouts learn entrepreneurship through cookie sales
G
Girl Scouts cookie season runs through Sunday, February 27. (Images courtesy of Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council)
By Alison Bailin Batz irl Scouts from the Arizona Cactus-Pine Council are hitting shopping centers and other outlets to sell their trademark cookies through Sunday,
February 27. More than 11,000 girls in grades kindergarten through 12 in more than 90 communities will develop their leadership skills and tools with the sales. The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the world’s largest girl-led entrepreneurial program, generating over $700 million in annual sales. Nearly 200 million boxes of Girl Scout cookies are sold annually to 50 million customers. Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council sold over 2 million packages of cookies last year. Amid the challenges of COVID-19, troops are hoping to meet or exceed previous sales goals.
“As we continue to find our new normal and navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, many girl entrepreneurs will utilize digital sales in the upcoming cookie program,” says Mary Mitchell, interim co-chief executive officer for the Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council. “Cookie entrepreneurs are planning on a safe and fun season by opting into in-person and/or digital sales through Digital Cookies, Girl Scout’s e-commerce platform available for each girl to build and manage her own website.” Girls will also provide socially distant and contactless options in person and apply CDCrecommended precautions like wearing a face mask, advising customers to pay with card, and using hand sanitizer in between purchases. “The Girl Scout Cookie Program is more than a sale,” says Christina Spicer, interim co-chief executive officer for the Girl ScoutsArizona Cactus-Pine Council. “It provides girls the skills they need to
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become successful women. Girl Scouts learn to invest in themselves, their troops, and their community. Encouraging girls’ interest in entrepreneurship prepares them for any future career pathway. “The qualities that lead to successful entrepreneurship, like curiosity, confidence, and innovation, are essential for all types of academic and career success. There aren’t many organizations that help girls learn key entrepreneurship skills, but Girl Scouting does.” The cookie lineup is as follows: • New: Adventurefuls: Brownie-inspired cookie with caramel-flavored crème and a hint of sea salt. $5 • Lemon-Ups: Crispy lemon cookies baked with inspiring messages. $5 • Thin Mints: Mint flavored with a delicious chocolaty coating. Vegan. $5 • Tagalongs: Layers of peanut butter with a rich, chocolaty coating. $5
