Red Deerians invited to participate in ‘Trick or Eat’

Halloween will mean more than scares and sugar highs this year, as Red Deerians are encouraged to collect food donations for the Red Deer Food Bank.

The city’s first Trick or Eat Red Deer initiative encourages residents to adopt a block on Halloween night by setting up a clearly marked location at their home for food donations.

After collecting donations, participants will deliver the items to the Red Deer Food Bank.

Organizer Bob McGaw says the food bank and several churches in the city are supporting the initiative.

Trick or Eat volunteers have created custom signs and cards that can be downloaded and printed ahead of the event. McGaw encourages participants to distribute the cards throughout their neighbourhood with their address to let residents know where they can drop off donations.

Those interested in adopting a block and receiving materials can email trickoreatreddeer@gmail.com.

Eye-opener

McGaw says he was inspired to organize the food drive after an experience in his own neighbourhood on Halloween night.

While handing out candy, he jokingly offered cans of tuna to teenagers who showed up at his door.

Rather than laughing off the suggestion of tuna in their treat bag, McGaw says the teens sincerely asked if they could have tuna instead of candy.

After recounting the scene to his wife, a schoolteacher, McGaw says she was not surprised. She sees hungry children coming to school every day, he says.

“It really bothered me that there are people in Red Deer that don’t have enough to eat,” he says, adding that conversations with the food bank revealed that one in four families in Alberta are struggling to put food on the table.

McGaw expects participation to be modest in the initiative’s inaugural year but hopes to see it expand across central Alberta to places like Sylvan Lake and Lacombe.

Food drive to help meet critical need

Food insecurity remains a pressing issue, with Red Deer Food Bank officials reporting an increase in the number of people accessing its services.

Concerningly, the food bank says much of the growth in demand is being driven by children and seniors.

The need in 2026 is significant, says Red Deer Food Bank executive director Mitch Thomson, adding that stomach-filling, protein-rich foods are especially in demand.

A significant portion of the food bank’s donations consists of items such as condiments, spices, pop and chips, he says. Donations of meat and dairy products are especially appreciated.

“This time of year, we’re running pretty thin.”

Thomson credits McGaw and other Halloween food drive organizers in previous years with raising hundreds of pounds of food over the years.

He encourages residents to get involved with Trick or Eat, saying donations of meals or healthy snacks can go a long way.

“If people can consider their neighbour and give where possible, we can continue to provide a solid, inclusive community.”