Normally at this time of year, Girl Scouts would be knocking on doors to sell their famous Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos and Tagalongs. Cookie season has changed somewhat due to the pandemic, but cookie lovers can still support Girl Scouts and get their boxes of treats in safe ways. The cookie sales are available now and will continue through March 7.

“Girl Scouts will be selling in creative, socially distant ways, as well as in traditional ways like at cookie booths and to family and friends following special safety guidelines,” according to a press release from Ashley Winton of Girl Scouts of the North Carolina Coastal Pines (GS-NCCP).

“The Girl Scout Cookie Program has long taught girls how to run a business both in-person and online through the Digital Cookie platform, but especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Girl Scouts in central and eastern North Carolina are innovating their sales methods in ways such as setting up a drive-through cookie booth for contactless ordering or social media sales.”

There are several ways to buy cookies this year.

•If you know a registered Girl Scout, reach out to her to find out how she’s selling cookies in ways that meet local and state safety protocols.

•If you don’t know a Girl Scout, visit www.girlscoutcookies.org, text COOKIES to 59618 (message and data rates may apply. Text STOPGS for STOP, HELPGS for help), or use the official Girl Scout Cookie Finder app for free on iOS or Android devices to find socially distant or contact-free cookie booths if they are available in your area.

•GS-NCCP is grateful to local companies for opening space outside their retail locations for Girl Scouts to sell cookies in a safe and socially distant manner, when allowed by local COVID-19 guidelines. Find cookie booths near you using our Cookie Booth Finder.

•Beginning February 1, enter your zip code into the Girl Scout Cookie Finder at www.girlscoutcookies.orgto purchase from a local Girl Scout troop online for shipment to your door or to donate cookies to first responders and local causes.

The long-running cookies sales are part of the Girl Scouts’ efforts to help girls learn about business.

“The Girl Scout Cookie Program is a long-cherished tradition among Girl Scouts and cookie customers, and it is sure to bring moments of joy during this time of uncertainty,” GS-NCCP Chief Executive Officer Lisa Jones said in a statement. “We are excited to support our girls as they learn important skills like goal setting and business ethics while earning proceeds for their troop.”

The Girl Scouts are also providing new materials as part of the cookie badge program to help support their Scouts as they run their cookie business online and through social media.

The boxes of cookies are $5 each, with shipping a flat rate of $12 for one to five boxes when ordered online. Buying six or more boxes qualifies for a 50 percent discount on shipping fees.

Besides the returning favorites, there’s also a new cookie on the menu for 2021.

“This year, we are excited to introduce a brand-new cookie, Toast-yay, which is full of French toast flavor in every bite. Alongside returning favorites like Thin Mints and Caramel deLites, Toast-yay is sure to bring moments of joy to Girl Scouts and cookie customers alike during a difficult time,” according to a press release.

North Carolina Coastal Pines is the largest girl-led leadership development program in central and eastern North Carolina, reaching over 26,000 girls and 9,000 adult volunteers across 41 central and eastern North Carolina counties. The council’s administrative headquarters is located in Raleigh, with additional program and service centers located in Goldsboro, Fayetteville, and Wilmington. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.nccoastalpines.org or call (800) 284-4475.