The Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida (GSSEF) kicks off its much-anticipated Cookie Sale Program starting Thursday, Jan. 24.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is an iconic, girl-led entrepreneurship program that develops the next generation of female business leaders, teaches girls essential skills and powers amazing experiences that allow them to learn and lead, now and into the future.
Consumers can help fuel transformative leadership experiences by purchasing all of their favorites, like Thin Mints, Samoas and of course, S’mores. From Jan. 24 to Feb. 17, each scout will set out to sell delicious cookies while also gaining financial literacy and entrepreneurial expertise that is imperative for leadership and future success.
Each and every Girl Scout Cookie purchase is key to supporting the change-makers of today and tomorrow. Given that more than half (53 percent) of female entrepreneurs and business owners are Girl Scout alums, supporting Girl Scouts as they make sales and learn essential business skills is imperative to ensuring the country has a strong workforce and economy.
More than 6,500 Girl Scouts in South Florida participate in the cookie sale program each year, generating more than $6 million in sales during the average season. And all of the net revenue raised — 100 percent of it — stays within the six-county council area. GSSEF uses cookie earnings to power amazing experiences for girls through programming, while girls use their earnings to power amazing experiences for themselves and their troop, including travel, outdoor adventure, and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming.
Many girls put the money toward impactful community projects right in their own backyards, from supporting animal shelters and food banks to working with local and state legislators to change laws.
The cookie program’s benefits are many. A recent Girl Scout Research Institute study found that two out of three girls who participate in the program learn five crucial skills — goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics — while doing incredible things for themselves and their communities. The proceeds stay local, meaning that when consumers purchase the cookies that come from a registered Girl Scout, they’re giving back to their wider community.
However, girls’ cookie earnings alone aren’t enough to power the Girl Scout movement. Investing in girls is important year-round, not just during cookie season.
“Girl Scouting makes a difference by providing girls with access to hundreds of girl-led experiences and skill building opportunities in an inclusive, supportive environment,” said Lisa Johnson, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida. “When our customers purchase a box of Girl Scout Cookies, they are not only investing in the future success of girls locally, but are helping power a entrepreneurship incubator for the next generation of female leaders.”
To find the location of your nearest cookie booth or to get more information on the Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program, visit www.gssef.org and click on the Cookie Booth Locator on the home page.
