An alternative to traditional trick-or-treating

Slate gathering non-perishable donations on Halloween

TRURO - Slate Youth Centre’s Trick-or-eat is back after a pause in 2020, marking 10 years since it first started the community event collecting non-perishable donations.

Instead of going door-todoor on Halloween evening for treats, participants ask for non-perishable food and hygiene items to donate to the Colchester Food Bank and Souls Harbour Rescue Mission Truro.

Ellie Deal got involved with Slate after attending a Trick-or-eat six years ago, which she said is a great time for anyone, including families. Now, she is coordinating the event and encourages others to take part.

“It helps build the community,” said Deal. “It's a really good example for the youth and the young people who come here. It's really fun and it's a good way for like people to connect with Slate.”

It is a great opportunity for older kids as they transition out of the usual trick-ortreating, and they are more than welcome to dress up. And although volunteers are collecting donations, Director Crystal Crossan-zak and Deal admit that some people who open their doors are more than generous to toss in some candy as a bonus.

“This is a great way to still be able to enjoy that feeling of trick or treating, but doing it not just for candy for yourself,” said Crossan-zak. “You're doing something that (will) help other people and that that is a good feeling, it’s a good way to dip your toes into volunteering.”

Deal encourages people to think outside the box with donations – things like pet food, hygiene products, snacks and specialty diet foods such as gluten-free or dairy-free are examples.

Past years have seen anywhere from 1,000 lbs. to 4,000 lbs. of food gathered to help fill the gap between Thanksgiving and Christmas when donations tend to slow down.

Crossan-zak said COVID has highlighted financial insecurity.

“Even people who were prepared and had savings found their savings drained, and all it takes is having to miss four or five days of work while you're waiting for a COVID test to come back. You don't get those wages replaced, and that can easily set you behind a little bit,” said Crossan-zak. “One of the first things that people tend to skimp on is their food because you got to pay your rent, you have to pay your electricity. But people will choose smaller portions or lower quality food, or whatever, or they might even skip meals to help save money. So, it's just important for us to recognize as a community that the people who were on the verge of food insecurity, COVID-19 may have pushed them right into that.”

Slate first started Trick-or Eat with other community groups under a national program. CEC is also planning a similar initiative and the groups are co-ordinating to make sure routes do not overlap.

Some years have seen anywhere from eight to 40 volunteers, identifiable by their bright highlighter yellow “Trick-or-eat" t-shirts and name tags. Walkers and drivers are taking on as many routes as they can around town, with the hope of covering most neighbourhoods. Then, they return to count items and check best before dates. The event runs until 8 p.m.

Volunteers should show up before 5 p.m. at the Slate Youth Centre. Information for volunteers is being posted in the Facebook group: “Trick or Eat 2021 SLATE Youth Center, Truro N.S.” Volunteers over 12 must be fully vaccinated. Those who do not meet those requirements are welcome to help by dropping off donations.