Costumed Students Ready to Fight Hunger with Annual Halloween Drive
By Daniel Reyes, Senior Political Correspondent
The air is crisp, pumpkins adorn porches, and in Chatham, a dedicated group of teenagers is preparing for something more meaningful than costume parties. Students at Ursuline College Chatham are marshaling their Halloween spirit for a cause that stretches beyond candy collection – community nourishment.
“Halloween isn’t just about treats for us anymore,” says Maya Thompson, grade 11 student council representative at UCC. “The Lancers Scare Hunger campaign lets us channel all that energy into something that actually helps our neighbours.”
The annual food drive, entering its 14th year, has become something of an autumn ritual in Chatham-Kent, with students in Halloween costumes canvassing neighborhoods to collect non-perishable food items instead of candy. Last year’s drive netted over 8,000 pounds of food donations, supporting the Chatham-Kent Food Bank through its traditionally lean pre-holiday months.
The timing couldn’t be more critical. According to Statistics Canada’s latest community profile data, Chatham-Kent’s child poverty rate sits at 22.7 percent, slightly above the provincial average. Meanwhile, the Chatham-Kent Health Unit reports that food insecurity affects nearly one in seven households across the municipality – numbers that have worsened since the pandemic and subsequent inflation spike.
“What these students are doing isn’t just charity – it’s civic engagement,” explains Margaret Wilson, food security coordinator with the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit. “They’re connecting the dots between social policy, economic conditions, and what happens when neighbours help neighbours.”
The student organizers, who began planning this year’s drive back in September, have added digital donation options. Residents can now scan QR codes that allow monetary contributions to the food bank if they’re not home or prefer not to shop for items.
Principal Joanne Munroe says the initiative teaches students about the complex realities of their community beyond classroom walls. “They’re learning that hunger exists right here, not just in far-off places. They see how economic policy and social supports – or lack thereof – affect real families they pass in the hallways.”
The experience provides real-world education about how political decisions and budget allocations directly impact local communities. At a recent planning session, students discussed how provincial social assistance rates, federal child benefits, and municipal housing policies all contribute to food security challenges.
Walking through the school’s gymnasium where collection bins stand ready, student organizer Jayden Williams points to last year’s neighborhood map. “We learned which areas gave the most and least, and it wasn’t what we expected. Some of the more modest neighborhoods were incredibly generous. It taught us not to make assumptions.”
The campaign will run from October 29 to November 2, with the main collection night on Halloween itself. Students will distribute flyers throughout Chatham this weekend, letting residents know when to expect costumed collectors.
Local politicians have taken notice. Chatham-Kent councillor Melissa Harrigan praised the initiative during the last council meeting. “These young people are demonstrating the kind of community-minded spirit we need more of. They’re not waiting for government to solve problems – they’re taking action themselves while also raising awareness.”
Food bank director Simon Reynolds notes that student-led drives provide about 20% of their annual donations. “The timing is perfect. By early November, Thanksgiving donations have been distributed, but Christmas drives haven’t started. This fills a crucial gap.”
The Halloween drive also reveals something important about modern civic engagement. While voter turnout among 18-24 year olds remains stubbornly low across Canada, with just 53.9% voting in the last federal election according to Elections Canada, community service participation among high school students is trending upward.
“They may not be voting yet, but these students are engaged in their community in ways that matter,” says political science professor Amanda Chen from the University of Windsor. “They’re learning how systems work, where they fail, and how citizen action fits into the broader governance picture.”
Back at UCC, the student organizers hope to top last year’s collection total by at least 15%. They’ve arranged friendly competition between grades and created social media challenges to boost participation.
Parents like Michelle Doyle appreciate the initiative’s timing. “My kids get so focused on their own Halloween costumes and candy haul. This redirects some of that excitement toward thinking about others.”
As collection day approaches, the students are finalizing costume choices that blend Halloween fun with their serious mission. Some plan to dress as superheroes, others as characters from popular shows.
“Being in costume makes it less intimidating to knock on doors,” explains grade 10 student Aiden Patel. “But we’re still having important conversations about why food banks exist and why some families struggle to put meals on the table. That’s the real education here.”
The Lancers Scare Hunger campaign reminds us that civic engagement comes in many forms, and that young people often lead the way in connecting holiday traditions with community needs. In Chatham-Kent, Halloween isn’t just about spooky decorations and chocolate bars – it’s become a season of neighbors helping neighbors, with costumed teenagers showing how community action and awareness can address gaps in our social safety net.
For these students, the scariest thing about Halloween isn’t goblins or ghosts – it’s the thought of families going hungry in their community.
