The Lethbridge Police Interfaith Food Bank is gearing up to host trick-or-treating events

LETHBRIDGE –

With Halloween less than a week away, Lethbridge organizations are gearing up to get in on the trick-or-treating fun.

The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) is hosting its second annual Trunk-or-Treat on October 31st.

“We’re expecting about 1,500-1,700,” said Const. Christian Olsen, a K-9 handler with LPS and Trunk-or-Treat organizer.

“Last year, we saw about 800-900 kids, so we anticipate that every time we do this event, it will grow.”

Uniformed officers will hand out candy from decorated police vehicles in the Nicholas Sheran Park boat launch parking lot along with the Logan Boulet Arena parking lot.

Olsen says the event is a way for his officers to connect with the community in a different way.

“Every time we have a community event, we see an impact very quickly,” Olsen said.

“I think building that relationship, especially with young people, is extremely important.”

As candy prices have risen five to 15 percent over last year across the country, so has demand from the Interfaith Food Bank.

As a way to bring in more donations, volunteers with Interfaith will take part in a different style of trick or treating.

“Anyone collecting on behalf of the food bank should have an ID tag so you know they are legitimately contributing to our food drive,” said Danielle McIntyre, executive director of the Interfaith Food Bank.

As part of the annual Trick-or-Eat event, McIntyre says trick-or-treaters consisting of families, clubs or teammates will not be collecting candy, but rather donations for those in need.

“It’s great if you’re able to give something that’s non-perishable, meaning it’s going to keep well,” McIntyre said.

“So those cans and cans of food, and we also like to get things with a little higher nutritional value like protein, canned meats and fruit.”

Registered volunteers will be in different neighborhoods collecting items.

McIntyre says the annual fundraiser comes at a key time, before the holiday rush when demand increases.

“We’re all about the community, supported by the community to serve the community. So why not go about our business in a fun, community-centric way?” McIntyre said.

Whether you’re collecting candy or non-perishable food items, LPS asks everyone to plan ahead and stay safe.

Olsen says wearing light-colored clothing, using crosswalks and watching for traffic are ways to stay safe.

“Keeping an eye on kids as parents and even young people as teenagers, everyone needs to watch out for each other if we’re skipping the streets,” Olsen said.

– He will be busy.