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Instead of candy, students from several Saskatoon high schools will be trick-or-treating for non-perishable food items this Halloween.

Rachelle Kelln, the leader of the Social Justice group at Bishop James Mahoney High School, says Halloweening for Hunger has been a long-standing tradition of Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools’ students. Teens from St. Joseph, BJM, and Holy Cross high schools will be going door-to-door Monday and Tuesday evenings collecting food donations for the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre.

To let people know about the initiative ahead of time, flyers were dropped off to homes on over 200 routes in several Saskatoon neighborhoods, including the Hamptons, River Heights, Lawson Heights, North Park, and Silverwood.

If residents are unable to be home on either evening, these flyers can be left out with their donation to indicate that it is for the food drive. Residents can also drop off their food donations at either of the three schools or call the schools to have someone come pick their donation up.

Kelln says she understands that the cost of food and living is high right now, however she hopes people can still be generous, because the Saskatoon Food Bank is feeling the effects, as well. She says in 2021, the food bank was serving around 13,000 people a month, and now they serve up to 30,000 monthly.

“Yes, there are people in need, and it is very good to give back to our community, but the other reason that I think it’s so important has more to do with the high school students. It’s amazing how kids thrive when they all come together, and they see what they did and how much food they raised together. Just the impact that they can have on a community I think is one of the big reasons that I enjoy planning and organizing these,” Kelln admitted.

Over the last 17 years, St. Joseph High School has collected about 180,000 pounds of food for the Halloweening for Hunger campaign.