The Lethbridge Police Department and the Interfaith Food Bank are hosting trick-or-treating-inspired events

LETHBRIDGE –

With Halloween less than a week away, organizations in Lethbridge are preparing for the trick-or-treating fun.

The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) will host its second annual Trunk-or-Treat on October 31.

“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 around 800 to 900 children, so we expect this event to only increase each year.”

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

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

“Anytime we have a community-related event, we see an impact very quickly,” Olsen said.

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

As candy prices have increased by five to fifteen percent across the country in the past year, so has the demand at the Interfaith Food Bank.

To bring in more donations, Interfaith volunteers will participate in a different style of trick-or-treating.

“Anyone collecting on behalf of the food bank must have an identification 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 made up of families, clubs or teammates will not be collecting candy, but rather donations for those in need.

“It’s great when you can donate something that is non-perishable, meaning it can be stored well,” says McIntyre.

“So those cans and boxes of food, and we also like to receive things that have a slightly higher nutritional value, like proteins, canned meats and fruit.”

Registered volunteers will collect items in various neighborhoods.

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

“It’s all about community, supported by community to serve community. So why not do our activities in a fun, community-oriented way?” McIntyre said.

Whether you are collecting candy or non-perishable food items, LPS is asking everyone to plan ahead and stay safe.

Olsen says wearing light-colored costumes, using crosswalks and paying attention to traffic are ways to stay safe.

“Keeping an eye on children as parents and even young people as teenagers means everyone has to keep an eye on each other as we jump around the streets,” Olsen said.

“It’s going to be busy.”