The COVID-19 crisis has forced the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England to suspended its programming, including cookie sales, through at least April 3.

But the organization and its members continue to embrace the spirit of service to the community.

Local Girl Scouts have shifted to a cookie donation effort aimed at supporting local food pantries, nursing homes and hospitals – institutions and individuals “who can use additional assistance and cheer during these stressful and confusing times,” according to a statement.

The Cookie Share program is an annual offshoot of regular cookie sales, providing a means for customers to purchase packages of cookies for donation to a range of local organizations.

“Giving back to the community is a big part of what Girl Scouts learn through participating and we feel that it is even more important at this time as so many people have been affected by the Coronavirus,” the statement reads. “This week GSSNE is donating over 2,000 packages of cookies to local organizations with the hope of putting a smile on the faces of those who have been impacted and the medical staff who are working tirelessly to treat those who are ill.”

Members of the community interested in purchasing cookies for the Cookie Share program can contact customercare@gssne.org for more information. Proceeds from the sale of the cookies will help support local Girl Scouts along with the organizations who will be the beneficiaries of the cookies.

Meanwhile, in lieu of traditional programming, local Girl Scouts are invited to utilize a number of online learning resources. Additional information can be found at gssne.org/en/our-council/covid-19-information.html.