There are 16 to 32 treats in a box of Girl Scout cookies. And there are 12 boxes in a case. Multiply that by 5,329 cases, and that's a whole lot of cookies.
In fact, it was enough to fill two semis.
And those two trucks rolled up to the warehouse at Klaus Companies on North Allen Road on Friday to deliver cookies sold by Peoria-area Girl Scouts over the last two months. The cookies were unloaded, sorted and sent to troops that will deliver them to eager and hungry customers.
"It takes a lot of work to arrange things," said Tara Barker, Girl Scouts service area coordinator for the Peoria district. "We definitely sold more than last year."
About 30 volunteers and troop leaders worked all day Friday unloading and prepping the cookies for delivery.
The cookies represent the work of 54 troops in the city of Peoria service area north of Interstate 74. Collectively, these girls sold more than 60,000 boxes of cookies.
Many boxes were ordered in advance, but those still interested in buying cookies can purchase them from booths around the area in the coming weeks. Times and locations for the cookie booths can be found at www.girlscouts-gsci.org.
Girl Scout cookies are almost as old as the organization itself, which was founded in 1912. The first cookie sale was in 1917.
The process has evolved over time, said Jenny Doerr, community development program delivery coordinator. Originally the girls made the cookies themselves at home, now they are made by ABC/Interbake Foods and Little Brown Bakers and shipped to the scouts.
Doerr said the companies helped shape Girl Scout cookies into a highly successful brand. The most popular variety of Girl Scout cookie, the Thin Mint, is the third-best selling cookie in the United States, behind Oreo and Chips Ahoy.
"That's impressive when you think these cookies are only sold once a year," Doerr said.
The popularity of Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties and other cookies provides a financial boost to the scouts. Troops get 50 cents for each box sold, while the girls themselves get 20 cents. The girls can use the money to go to camp or purchase other prizes.
But more than the money, girls benefit from the experience, said Ashley Psinas, communications and fund development director for the organization.
"It's a great way to build a girl's self confidence, leadership and independence," Psinas said. "That's why I think the cookie sale has been around so long and is so iconic."
Some facts about one of the most well-known fundraisers in history:
- Girl Scout troops in north Peoria sold 63,948 boxes of cookies this year.
- The Thin Mint is the most popular variety, accounting for a quarter of all Girl Scout cookie sales across the nation. It is also the third most popular cookie in the country after Oreo and Chips Ahoy.
- The first Girl Scout cookie fundraiser was in Michigan in 1917. Originally, girls baked the cookies themselves.
- Girl Scout cookies are preservative free and kosher but do contain some transfats.
