Consumers in Northeast Texas can now support local girl entrepreneurs by ordering from the iconic cookie lineup, earning funds that fuel amazing experiences and unbox brighter futures.
Contact: Stephanie Horne, shorne@gsnetx.org
DALLAS, TX — Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (GSNETX) kicked off the 2024 Girl Scout Cookie season last Friday, an annual event that sets the stage for the world's largest entrepreneurial program for girls. During this highly anticipated time of the year, girls flex their leadership muscles and acquire important skills like money management, team building, public speaking, and decision-making as they earn the funds that power adventures in the great outdoors, STEM activities, and beyond.
When bold, goal-getting Girl Scouts sell a package of cookies, they're doing much more than just selling delicious treats. All proceeds from cookie sales contribute to the endeavors of local Girl Scouts year-round, including community service projects, summer camp experiences, and troop travel; some troops are even traveling to destinations all over the world. This year's theme, Unbox the Future, underscores the program's mission to remove barriers that often keep girls boxed in.
"Every box of cookies sold not only enhances the experiences available to Girl Scouts but also gives more girls access to these empowering opportunities," said Jennifer Bartkowski, CEO of GSNETX. "In the current challenging economic climate, cookie funds play an especially crucial role in supporting all girls, regardless of socio-economic background, to achieve their potential and thrive, making it an investment in a more equitable future."
There are plenty of ways to satisfy your Girl Scout Cookie® cravings this season. Cookie lovers can enjoy the full assortment of purpose-filled cookies at the same price in our 32 counties despite increases in other councils. Little Brownie Bakers produce kosher and halal-certified cookies for the Northeast Texas Council with zero high-fructose corn syrup and zero grams of trans fat per serving in an effort to serve high-quality products that meet the needs of diverse cookie consumers.
New this year, Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer is proud to be the official milkshake sponsor for the 2024 Cookie Season. Black Tap, renowned for its award-winning burgers and internet-famous CrazyShake® milkshakes, has added two unique additions to its menu (while supplies last). The exclusive Samoa® and Thin Mint® inspired milkshakes, crafted by Chef Stephen Parker, promise to delight cookie enthusiasts.
"I am actually really passionate about Samoas; they are my favorite Girl Scout Cookie that my mom orders every year," Parker explained. "In approaching this project, my goal was to capture the beloved cookie in appearance and flavor."
The base of the Coconut Caramel Donut CrazyShake is vanilla ice cream blended with Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut, chocolate syrup, coconut caramel sauce, and Samoa® cookies. The inside of the cup is layered in chocolate, and around the rim is chocolate coconut frosting. It's crowned with a large, glazed donut with more chocolate, caramel, coconut, cookie crumbles, and finally, whipped cream and a whole Samoa® cookie.
Sitting on top of the Mint Brownie Crunch CrazyShake is a soft brownie with a cookie-like crunch, thanks to a layer of Thin Mints® in the batter. Andes Chocolate Mints are tossed inside the brownies that perfectly melt through the warmed chocolate, giving it a vibrant pop of green reminiscent of the Thin Mint box color. Around the rim is mint chocolate frosting with whipped cream, some more cookie chunks, and chocolate drizzle.
Black Tap's Executive Vice President of Marketing, Tara Morrill, cherished her time as a Girl Scout growing up, and both she and Black Tap's Co-Founder and CEO, Julie Mulligan, are strong supporters of the organization's mission. A generous $2.00 from every Girl Scout Cookie CrazyShake® sold will be donated to GSNETX. Additionally, their team is excited to engage directly with Girl Scouts through various career exploration opportunities.
Sweet Tooth Hotel is also bringing back its Girl Scout Cookie® cocktails after a hugely popular debut last year and introducing Samoa® and Lemon Up® inspired mocktails. While numerous bars and restaurants have served Girl Scout Cookie-inspired menu items over the years, Black Tap and Sweet Tooth Hotel are the only council-approved partners. Both teams collaborated closely with GSNETX to ensure that their beverages are true to their cookie counterparts, and plan to help boost cookie sales by hosting booths at their venues throughout the season.
How to Purchase Girl Scout Cookies: Cookie season in Northeast Texas will run from January 12 - February 25. If you know a registered Girl Scout, ask how they're selling via the Digital Cookie® and purchase cookies for home delivery or donate cookies for community causes. If not, check with your local council or use the Girl Scout Cookie Finder to locate a nearby booth. To stay updated on purchasing information and other cookie news, text COOKIES to 59618 or sign up at girlscoutcookies.org.
For more than 100 years, Girl Scouts and their enthusiastic supporters have helped ensure the success of the cookie program. As a result, girls gain professional and life skills, and they've had fun and made their communities a better place every step of the way. Girls in grades K–12 can join the organization and the nearly 700k girls participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program at any point in the year by visiting girlscouts.org/join.
We Are Girl Scouts
Whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths, make best friends, and rise to meet new challenges. Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas serves girls and adult volunteers across 32 counties. To change the workforce pipeline in STEM and meet the urgent need for female voices and leadership in the fastest-growing sector of the U.S. economy, GSNETX opened the 92-acre state-of-the-art STEM Center of Excellence in 2018. Learn more at gsnetx.org or call 972-349-2400.