Published: October 10, 2008 06:25 pm            

Trick-or-treat with a twist

Henderson County 4-H to hold Halloween food drive

On Oct. 30, kids of all ages will be going Trick or Treat.

But they will not be asking for chocolate or lollipops.

Hilary Grider with Henderson County 4-H said the group is organizing a Trick or Treat canned food drive to benefit Food Pantry, Inc. and a food pantry in Chandler.

“The kiddos have all along wanted to do a canned food drive and they wanted to go trick or treating,” she said. “Some of them are much too old to be asking for candy.”

Grider said 4-H has members between kindergarten age and 19 years old. She said members will dress in costume for the event.

She said she expects a large number of the over 360 4-H members to participate. Grider said the members are challenging all youth groups, churches, businesses, county offices and individuals to compete with the Henderson County 4-H.

“Any group that would like to participate, we would be more than happier to share,” she said. “We try to stress community service.”

Grider said Henderson County 4-H will put out collection sites in Brookshires in Henderson County by next Tuesday. All collection sites will be out through Oct. 30.

“We will have decorated buggies or baskets to put (donations) in,” Grider said.

She said the goal for the drive is 12,000 non-perishable items. Grider said the pantry is in need of a variety of canned vegetables, other than corn and green beans; toothpaste and toothbrushes, flour, sugar and cereals.

“We will take any non-perishable item,” She said.

Grider said the event is unique because the children will have a chance to have fun and serve the community.

“They are excited about it. I think if we can give them a chance to do two things at once, it is way wonderful,” she said.

Grider said the Henderson County 4-H will also have a drop-off site at the Senior Citizens Center on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Food Pantry, Inc. publicity officer Charlene Craighead said she thinks it is a great idea.

“We are in need of canned goods,” she said.

Craighead said the pantry has seen increased demand because of economic conditions.

“People are getting laid off,” she said, “or they are working but their income is not meeting their expenses.”

Craighead said the pantry served 480 families in July, 507 families in August and 494 families in September.

“It’s an average of 25 to 30 families a day,” she said.

        

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