In the coming weeks, Girl Scouts will be ringing doorbells across central and eastern North Carolina, but when you answer your door, remember that it’s more than a box of cookies — it’s a lasting investment in our communities.

“We love the Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program because it’s a win-win for everybody,” said Rusine Mitchell Sinclair, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts — North Carolina Coastal Pines. “Girls learn valuable life skills like budgeting, time and money management, teamwork, networking, inventory control and problem solving — while having fun and helping their troop earn funds to do the neat things that girls love to do. And they’re helping Girl Scouts — North Carolina Coastal Pines provide many programs and opportunities to the more than 32,000 girls in our 41-county jurisdiction.”

Girl Scout Cookies have been an American tradition for more than 90 years — and for good reason.

Girl Scout Cookies are the ultimate comfort food and are a family tradition, with many people purchasing multiple boxes every year to not only enjoy their favorites and new cookies year after year, but also to support girls in our communities.

Those who don’t wish to purchase cookies for their own consumption still can assist Girl Scouts by making a purchase and donating the cookies to Operation Cookie Drop. Girl Scouts — North Carolina Coastal Pines is in its seventh year of sending cookies to military troops. To date, customer donations have purchased more than 313,000 boxes of cookies for men and women in uniform serving overseas.

As simple as the cookie is, the snack offers Girl Scouts the funds needed to provide programming that offers a life-changing experience during their girlhood. Proceeds from cookie sales fund activities of individual troops as well as Girl Scouts — North Carolina Coastal Pines, including financial assistance for girls to participate in events, program fees, volunteer recruitment and training, and maintenance of camp properties.

Girl Scout Cookies are sold door to door in central and eastern North Carolina from Saturday, Jan. 8, through Sunday, March 13. Through the spring, Girl Scout troops will be selling cookies at booths set up in areas such as retail stores and shopping centers.

“If you wish to purchase cookies and have not been called on, look for cookie booths in your community (posted on the council’s website at www.nccoastalpines.org) or call Girl Scouts — North Carolina Coastal Pines toll-free at (800) 284-4475 to be connected with a local troop.