Living out the Boy Scouts of America's (BSA) promise “to help other people at all times,” Kaiden Santos, a dedicated member of BSA Troop 45 in Crown Point, Ind., has achieved the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor in Scouting. Santos’ milestone was marked by a community-focused Eagle Scout project that continues to make a significant impact across Northwest Indiana.
Leading fellow Scouts and family, Santos constructed and installed a community pantry named Compa at Christ United Methodist Church in Gary, Ind. in June 2024. The pantry’s central location in the city encourages donations from local residents and businesses alike to help build and foster a greater sense of community in the Region – something Santos garnered a greater appreciation for during the project’s developmental phase.
“I learned quickly to not be afraid to ask for help. That's the part everybody hates, and it was the part that I hated for the longest time,” Santos said. “I felt like I was a big nuisance to these companies for asking for not only their support but supplies as well. In reality, they're a lot kinder and a lot more willing to give than I thought they would be.”
Thanks to the generous support and resources provided by Leo's Pet Garden Home, Alsip Home & Nursery, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and Lowe's, Santos’ project began taking shape. The only thing still needed was the manual labor to assemble the pantry itself. Thankfully for Santos, the Scouts are always there for one another, ensuring no one is left behind.
“We ended up with more Scouts volunteering for the project than I initially requested, almost the whole troop. Funnily enough, one of the hardest things for me was trying to find a job for everyone to do. I wanted to ensure that everyone felt included and, most importantly, had fun,” Santos said.
For Santos, the Scouts — specifically Troop 45 — have been incredibly transformative to his development into the person he is today and something he will cherish for years to come.
“Being a part of Troop 45 has been incredible. I've been homeschooled since the third grade, and while people often fantasize about the idea of being homeschooled, the one thing that is often overlooked is the lack of any social interaction. It's just you, a computer, and some textbooks. For the longest time, I was shy and had no friends. I didn't know how to come out of my shell and talk to people,” Santos said. “Then, I was presented with the opportunity to get involved with Troop 45 and built a strong foundation of leadership and communication skills for myself that continue to help me succeed.”
For those wishing to make a donation of non-perishable food and toiletries, the Compa pantry can be found at 201 W Ridge Rd, Gary, Ind. Alternatively, interested parties can call the Christ United Methodist Church at (219) 884-8312 to make large or monetary donations.
“I could not have done this alone. Troop 45 and all of the cooperative, local businesses who showed their support made this possible,” Santos said. “Without them, none of this would have happened.”