Trick or treat! A We-Scare-Hunger campaign is coming

Kids at Columbia Park Elementary soon will — like kids throughout the city — be out trick-or-treating, but don’t be surprised if they ask for donations to the Food Bank, too! Linnen Alain, Lily Michaels, Isabella McGrath-Beruschi, Cass Stoller and Spencer Spannier said that while their campaign is centered on the CPE school community, they hope other kids in the city will also collect Food Bank donations. David F. Rooney photo

By David F. Rooney

Kids at Columbia Park Elementary soon will — like kids throughout the city — be out trick-or-treating, but don’t be surprised if they ask for donations to the Food Bank, too.

Inspired by some comments made Grade 7 teacher Alexa Klassen, five young people at CPE have banded together to encourage families to hand out non-perishable food as well has candy when little goblins and witches come calling on October 31.

“On Halloween kids can also trick or treat for canned goods and other non-perishable foods,” said Spencer Spanner.

“We’re kind of organized here at the school but it’s aimed at kids all around town, too,” said his schoolmate Lily Michaels.

Trying to organize this campaign has been a bit of an eye-opener for the kids.

Linnen Alain said they’ve learned that there kids around the world who don’t get enough to eat. And that’s not just problem in other countries. There are kids eight here in Revelstoke and other Canadian towns and cities whose families depend on their local Food Bank for enough to eat.

Patti Larson, manager of the Community Connections Food Bank was very impressed by the kids, who contacted her about their plan on Wednesday.

“I think it’s just great that they have taken the initiative to do this,” she said.

Patti noted that hunger is a very real problem in Revelstoke

Last month, there were 639 visits to the Food Bank including 177 visits for kids.

The kids were also impressed by what they learned about hunger on the www.freethechildren.com website.

“I’m really impressed with the way these students have run with this idea,” said their teacher, Alexa Klassen.