Help ‘Scare Away Hunger’ in Wetaskiwin this Halloween

Help ‘Scare Away Hunger’ in Wetaskiwin this Halloween

Published 12:38 pm Tuesday, October 20, 2026

This year, trick-or-treaters in Wetaskiwin can collect more than just candy – and help those in need in their community at the same time.

The Salvation Army in Wetaskiwin is holding a ‘Scare Away Hunger’ food drive on Halloween night, Oct. 31, and is asking for the community’s help to make it a success.

For a first-time event, the goal is to get the word out so hopefully there will be some good participation, with those collecting donations, and those at home prepared with food items to donate, said event coordinator Major Melissa Mailman of Salvation Army Wetaskiwin.

Adults going out with their kids trick-or-treating, or older teens who’d like to collect, are welcome to come by at their Main Street building and get a badge, identifying them as volunteers for the Salvation Army for the night.

“It’s another fun way to raise awareness of food insecurity and a fun way of collecting,” said Mailman.

“We’re thankful for anyone who wants to participate.”

While those wanting to participate in the food drive aren’t required to have a badge to collect on their behalf, having it helps identify who they’re collecting for and lends some legitimacy and donor accountability to the event, Mailman explained.

For easy carrying for trick-or-treaters, Mailman is suggesting households that would like to donate, hand out light-weight, boxed or packaged non-perishable food items – such as Kraft Dinner, school snacks like granola bars, or individually packaged noodle or soup packets – rather than heavy cans.

The Salvation Army will be accepting food donation drop-offs at their Main Street building (located at 5102 50 Ave.) from 8 to 9 p.m. Halloween night.

Though a new event for Wetaskiwin, the idea of tying giving into Halloween isn’t.

Mailman has seen similar food drive events held in other communities and remembers when she was a kid, collecting pennies for UNICEF on Halloween.

“I’m hoping it gets off the ground,” she said.

“The challenge would be getting the word out and getting the community ready.”

Though most people think about donating to food banks around Thanksgiving and Christmas, the reality is keeping their shelves stocked to provide for those in need is a year-long undertaking, Mailman explained.

“The food bank shelves can use a boost all the time,” said Mailman, added they are frequently running out of certain items.

While they use monetary donations to purchase fresh items and receive funds from Food Banks Alberta as a member, they still rely heavily on community donations for non-perishable food items to stock their shelves, she said.

Kettle Campaign launch

Salvation Army Wetaskiwin’s holiday season Kettle Campaign will be launching with a pancake breakfast with Santa on Nov. 21, from 9 to 11 a.m. at their Main Street building.

There will be a live band and the Wetaskiwin Knights of Columbus will be serving up the pancakes.

While the Kettle Campaign takes place before Christmas, the funds is raises sustains them throughout the year, Mailman noted.