When U of T student volunteers banded together in small groups on Monday to trick-or-treat in costume, they weren’t seeking candy.
Instead, they were collecting non-perishable food items for local charities, such as the Daily Bread Food Bank and The Community Food Room.
The Sigma Chi and Alpha Gamma Delta fraternities, and Woodsworth and University College students, joined forces for the effort, meant to fill food bank coffers in the dry season between Thanksgiving and the holiday season, when people traditionally donate.
The event, called Trick-or-Eat, is part of the Meal Exchange initiative of the same name, and is by far its most successful program, with approximately five thousand students from 34 post-secondary campuses across Canada participating on Halloween.
Last year, the program was able to collect 218,000 pounds of donations, which translated into 87,200 meals for the hungry. This year Meal Exchange has raised the bar, with a goal of $100,000 in donations, and 120,000 meals.
“The Meal Exchange organization has developed a reputation as a leading youth-focused national charity. Their ability to engage young adults, capture the energy and creativity of youth and motivate students to be active in their community is unrivalled,” says Alpha Gamma Delta’s campus relations advisor, Chantal Coulen, in a press release.
Meal Exchange also runs the Skip a Meal program, which allows students to donate from their own university meal plans, and Clear the Shelves, which allows for the donation of excess goods accumulated over the school year.
Each night last week, a different group went door to door in the community handing out flyers which asked citizens to “Help Scare Up Some Food,” and have it ready for pick-up on Halloween. Meal Exchange campus advisor Dave Kranenburg notes the importance of this advance advertising.
“Since they are aware of the event, even people who may not participate in Halloween will leave out a bag for us to pick up.”
The groups met up in the early evening Monday and set out to gather donations from houses in the Annex area. Following the collection of food, student volunteers got to rest and reward themselves at the after-event thank you party.
Though the numbers are not yet official, students from the Sigma Chi and Alpha Gamma Delta frats report that their group gathered approximately eight carloads or 1,000 pounds of food. The national numbers were placed at approximately $300,000 worth of food.
“[It’s been] a great way for students to get involved. Poverty still exists in Toronto and it’s growing if anything,” said Jerome Ngyen of The Community Food Room. “Trick-or-Eat is bridging the gap [in donations] between [the holidays].”
