To earn her Girl Scout Gold Award, Kaitlynn Krupp has planned a sweet potato drop with Society of St. Andrew. James Clemens High School Band members will bag the vegetables for needy recipients. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – To earn her Girl Scout Gold Award, Kaitlynn Krupp has chosen a unique way to feed hungry people and involve 100-plus students.

Krupp, a 2015 graduate of James Clemens High School, is collaborating a ‘crop drop’ with James Clemens Band on July 25.

She has partnered with Society of St. Andrew for the project. “They contact farmers about crops they cannot sell in stores and find a way for the food to reach the people,” Krupp said. Society members will gather vegetables and coordinate with agencies to deliver food to people in need.

Krupp wanted the Gold Award to culminate her many years with “the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn. This is important to me … a way to say thank you to my leaders who have supported me and fellow Girl Scouts.”

Also giving back, James Clemens band members are participating because band director Keith Anderson “wants the band known for something else other than just being the band,” Krupp said. Residents “have helped the band as it started and have supported it. Band members want to give back to the community.”

Society of St. Andrew will transport sweet potatoes from the farm to James Clemens. “I’ll provide manpower and have organized the event,” Krupp said. Krupp has been planning the crop drop since April and has committed 80 hours minimum.

“Mary Lynn Botts has been vital to the success of this project,” Krupp said. Her troop leaders are Staci Krupp and Donna Elegante.

At James Clemens, Krupp was a National Merit Finalist, Girl Scout Leadership Award recipient and in color guard. “I wanted to help the band after I graduated. I spent so much time learning important leadership and life skills,” she said.

Her parents are Don and Staci Krupp. He is a division chief at NASA, and Staci manages the household. Kaitlynn’s sister Ashlyn is a James Clemens freshman. They attend Asbury United Methodist Church.

Kaitlynn will enter Auburn University.