The wait is almost over: Girl Scout cookies are to be for sale soon.
Marianne Love, director of business services for Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, said Girl Scouts will start taking orders Sunday. The sale continues through Jan. 31, and cookies are to be delivered March 9-11.
This year's offerings are Somoas, Trefoils, Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Do-Si-Dos, Lemon Chalet Cremes, Thank U Berry Munch and Dulce de Leche.
"(It is the) same lineup as last year," Love said.
Theresa Feasel, cookie chairwoman for Tiffin's service unit, said Somoas, Thin Mints, Trefoils and Thank U Berry Munch are guaranteed to be nut-free and are not made in a facility that could have nuts.
Cookies cost $3.50 a box, which is the price they've been since 2008. A change, however, is cookies all over Ohio now are $3.50 per box. Previously, some councils sold cookies for $3 per box, but they have been raised, Love said.
Fact Box
How to order
People can order cookies from local Girl Scouts. Also, those in the Tiffin area can call (800) 222-6119 to place an order, while those in the Seneca East service unit area can call (419) 937-3627.
Feasel is in her 26th year as a volunteer with Girl Scouts and previously served as the cookie chairwoman for about a dozen years. Thin mints are the country's top-selling cookie, she said.
"It's just always been a top seller," she said.
Feasel said the Girl Scouts' profit starts at 60 cents per box sold and can increase to 73 cents per box. The council and troops benefit from the proceeds.
Feasel said after the cost of the cookies, money is used for troop proceeds and bonuses, cookie sale support and recognition. Nearly half of the money goes to the council to fund Girl Scout programs and camp maintenance, she said.
Deb Briggs, director of the Seneca East service unit, which includes Attica, Bloomville and Republic, said girls learn about goal-setting and money by selling the cookies.
"I think they learn a lot," she said.
People can order boxes of cookies to be sent to military troops through the Operation: Sweet Appreciation program.
A "Lights on for Girl Scouts" program is to be offered again this year. Briggs said she thinks her service unit is going to try it this year, and Girl Scouts will let their communities know a certain day and time they will be visiting the towns. If people didn't get cookies, they turn on their light, and Girl Scouts will stop by, she said.
"We do not have a date set yet," she said.
