Cheyenne Crant won't be requesting treats when she goes door-to-door next Monday evening for Halloween. The 12-year-old would rather receive non-perishable food items.
The Grade 7 Kwayhquitlum middle school student will be collecting donations for the Share food bank for the second year in a row as a part of the Free the Children's Halloween for Hunger campaign.
"I want to make it that no one's really hungry," she said, adding, "I know that is not going to happen overnight."
Crant is hoping to surpass her tally from last year, when she collected a thousand pounds of food using donation bins at local supermarkets, and a further 352 pounds by trick-or-treating on Halloween with the help of her parents.
"It makes a huge impact for us at this time of year," said Heather Scott of Share Family and Community Services. "The food bank currently has two weeks worth of food and we are low on staple items."
The food bank is seeking donations of nutritious items such as canned fruits, vegetables, meat and fish, and healthy items for breakfasts and children's lunches.
Crant won't be alone collecting non-perishable food items instead of candy. For the second year in a row, Mountain Meadows elementary's "Miracle Kids" will be canvassing in the Noons Creek area of Port Moody on Halloween. Last year, Mountain Meadows students collected 748 lb. of food. And overall, Tri-City schools participating in Halloween for Hunger in 2010 collected over 2,500 lb. of food for Share.
"Share is greatly thankful for all of the assistance from Cheyenne and Tri-City schools," said Scott. "Because of the community donations, we can continue to provide food relief in the Tri-Cities."
Crant will be soliciting donations from shoppers at the Save-On Foods in Coquitlam on Sunday and she is looking for more kids to participate to help reach her goal of 2,000 lb. Donation bins are located in Port Coquitlam, as well.
"We might get free candy on Halloween," she noted, "but other kids might not get any food."
Donations can also be dropped off at Share (2615 Clarke St., Port Moody) on Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m, and Tuesdays through Fridays, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Grocery stores throughout the Tri-Cities also have donation bins for the food bank. To make a financial donation, call 604-540-9161, visit www.sharesociety.ca or send a cheque to 200-25 King Edward St., Coquitlam, B.C., V5K 4F8.
