SARASOTA – Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida announced it is suspending all council-sponsored activities effective March 16-April 30.

The cancelations include council programs, trainings, and facility rentals. All council properties will also be closed to the public during that time. Council staff will still be available via phone and email during regular administrative office hours, Tuesday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Cookie booth sales, which were scheduled to end on Sunday, March 15, have also been canceled. However, Girl Scouts will still be selling cookies to friends and family and through neighborhood walkabouts. Troops have also been permitted to sell through online venues such as Facebook and Nextdoor.

The cookie program dates have been extended for five days through March 20. The community is encouraged to continue supporting Girl Scout troops through cookie purchases, but should ensure they are buying directly from a Girl Scout family and not a reseller.

“The health and safety of our girls, their families, our volunteers, and staff are of the utmost concern,” said Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. “We are adhering to the CDC guidelines and trying to limit exposure to the COVID-19 virus. We will be working with our Girl Scout troops to help mitigate the adverse effects of this public health emergency on their cookie program earnings.”

The council will post periodic updates on their website with information regarding the re-scheduling of programs and when they expect to resume normal operations. For more information, visit www.gsgcf.org.

About Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.: Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. Our mission: to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA and serves girls in grades K-12 across 10 counties including Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and Collier. To volunteer, join, donate, or learn more, visit www.gsgcf.org.