Girl Scouts of West Central Florida (GSWCF) announced Friday, Feb. 22 marked the start of cookie booths for the 2013 Girl Scout Cookie Program. Cookie booths can be found throughout the council’s eight-county jurisdiction of Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sumter counties.

Keep an eye out at your favorite businesses and stores and buy your favorite Girl Scout Cookie varieties, including Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos, Samoas^®, Tagalongs^®, Trefoils, Dulce de Leche, Thank U Berry Munch and returning for a second year due to its popular 100^th anniversary debut – Savannah Smiles! Girl Scout cookie booth sales end Sunday, March 17.

It’s now easier than ever to find the cookie booths nearest you! A free cookie app can be downloaded by searching for “Cookie Locator” in the iPhone App Store or Android Market Place. Or, simply visit www.gswcf.org/findcookies and search using the Cookie Locator. Both the app and the Cookie Locator find cookie booths based on zip codes.

Girl Scout cookies are $3.50 a box; cash and checks are accepted at all Girl Scout cookie booths. New this year, credit cards will be accepted at select booth locations.

Those who want to support Girl Scouting in their communities but don’t want to enjoy the cookies themselves may opt to contribute to the Gift of Caring Program. This unique program is a way for Girl Scouts to give back to their communities: donations of cookies through the Gift of Caring Program are sent directly to U.S. military troops serving in combat zones overseas through a partnership with Support Our Troops. Donations to the Gift of Caring Program may be made in person through a Girl Scout at a cookie booth, through March 17.

Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program, girls learn goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics—aspects essential to leadership, success and life. With each box purchased, girls are empowered to make their communities – and the world – a better place.

For more information regarding purchasing Girl Scout cookies and supporting Girl Scouting in your area, visit www.gswcf.org/cookies, or call (800) 881-4475, ext. 1838.