Fuchsia Dragon | [email protected]
Community spirit was the only ghost haunting Jasper Food Bank this Halloween.
Jasper teenagers took to the streets on Thursday night and went door-to-door not for candy, but non-perishable food for the town food bank.
It was Trick-or-Eat’s fifth year in Jasper and young students split into 11 groups to cover the whole town, hauling back bags full of donations.
Volunteer Teslyn Pfisterer said: “It’s really great when you go to the doors and people are experienced and know why you’re there and know that it’s really good for the community.”
The Trick-or-Eat donations filled the food bank’s shelves with cereal, oats, canned soups, meals, fruit and vegetables.
Pfisterer said: “It is really beneficial for the community and incredible to be able to give back.
“It’s also something really fun to do with friends when you get too old for trick-or-treating.”
Her sister Sophie added: “It’s amazing to go have a fun night with your friends and it’s really helping out a lot of people.”
Aiden, in his fifth year taking part in Trick-or-Eat, said the volunteers worked hard and Jasper residents were very generous and “love to donate”.
He said: “I just like volunteering and like doing it. It is joyful somewhat because I like helping out.”
This year, the high school’s Halloween dance was held on October 30 so more people could volunteer for Trick-or-Eat.
And on Halloween night when the donations were in and put away, the young volunteers had pizza, donuts and music at the food bank to reward them for their efforts.
Jasper Food Bank is located in the basement of the St. Mary and St. George Anglican Church, on the corner of Geikie Street and Miette Avenue.
Food Banks Alberta recommends donations to include non-perishable food like beans, macaroni and cheese, pasta and sauce, canned fish or meat, peanut butter, powdered milk, soup, canned fruit and vegetables, granola bars, baby food or formula, juice boxes.
The website also recommends perishable foods like bread, pastry, fruit and vegetables, and non-food items like baby diapers, toiletries, dish soap and hygiene products.
For more information about how to access Jasper Food Bank, email [email protected].
