For the 10^th year, Bridgeport Boy Scouts have your back when it comes to springtime landscaping needs. Troop 40 has begun its annual mulch sale, with four tractor trailer loads of mulch available for purchase.

 

“We just started this Saturday,” said Louisa Householder, scout volunteer and wife of Scoutmaster Troy Householder. "We usually try to start at least by the last weekend in March – or even before that – but the weather was not cooperative, so we put it off.”

 

The sale – based along Route 50 West, just below the Bridgeport Municipal Building/Police Department – will be ongoing 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays until the inventory is gone.

 

Four different varieties are available. In addition to hardwood, basic brown shredded mulch, the troupe also has three enhanced, dyed varieties in red, black and brown. Bags consist of two cubic feet of mulch. Three bags of regular hardwood sell for $10 and three bags of enhanced mulch sell for $12. Mulch can also be purchased by the pallet, each which consists of 65 bags. A pallet of hardwood sells for $215 and a pallet of enhanced mulch sells for $250.

 

The cost includes free local delivery, Householder said. Not only does the troupe deliver, but the scouts and adult volunteers will place the bags where desired and – for an added fee – will even spread it, she said.

 

Even during the week, orders can be placed at the scouts’ West Main Street tent.

 

"We have an order kiosk on site where customers can place an order and drop into a lock box," Householder said. 

 

Individuals can also place orders at www.troop40bidgeport.org or by calling 1-855-427-8740. 

 

“If we can get orders in by Saturday, we can hit the ground running and the sale goes much faster,” Householder said.

 

Last weekend, the troupe started with 48 pallets and after delivering 31, have 17 remaining. After those 17 pallets sell, half of this year's inventory will have been spoken for, Householder said. Though the majority of deliveries take place on weekends, mid-week deliveries can be arranged. Orders can be placed for deliveries through April. If the troop sells out of this initial inventory and there is still much interest in purchasing, more mulch will be ordered.

 

The sale has proven to be a very successful fundraiser for Troop 40.

 

“Mulch is something everyone needs and Bridgeport always supports its youth," Householder said. "And price wise, we’re pretty much in line, but we think our free delivery really makes our sale popular." 

Proceeds from the sale are used to provide scholarships for scouts to attend high adventure and summer camps.

 

“We pay a portion of every scout’s summer camp fee and we also have college scholarships for Eagle scouts. We also use it for equipment for the troop, so it’s put to good use. It takes a lot to run a troop,” Householder said.

 

Troop 40 consists of about 40 scouts. 

 

Editor's Note: Pictured top/cover are members and leaders of Troop 40 during an August 2014 Bridgeport City Council meeting. The troop was presented with a proclamation for 50 years of existence and for service to the community.