Some teen trick-or-treaters will forego candy for canned goods this Halloween.
National Honor Society students – and any teens who care to join in – will ring doorbells to collect non-perishable items for Helpline House, a tradition started three years ago by Bainbridge High School graduate Lily Grainger.
“I thought Halloween would be the perfect occasion to collect food,” Grainger said. “Helpline is always especially needy during the fall, and when else do people so eagerly and conveniently open their doors to strangers?”
In 2000, only 15 students turned up to help. But last year, the drive received a boost when the BHS National Honor Society adopted the campaign.
Kids collected enough to fill three pick-up truck loads with more than 1,000 cans.
Like many younger trick-or-treaters, the teens increased returns by targeting “high-yield” neighborhoods.
“Basically, I directed kids to collect in areas with a high concentration of houses, subdivisions being the ideal pickup location,” Grainger said. “We could visit a lot more houses on foot without having to cover too much ground.”
Some people recoiled when they opened the door to find a group of teens on the doorstep, Grainger says.
But once reassured that no tricks were in store, most rallied to root through cupboards.
Helpline’s co-coordinator of volunteers, Clara Manny, said that Helpline especially appreciates foods that children eat.
“We’re talking cereal,” Manny said, “peanut butter, applesauce, and macaroni and cheese. Things that kids eat in vast quantities.”
Helpline’s new community projects coordinator, Michelle Hutchins, notes that the number of islanders using the food bank has risen 30 percent over the last year, and need is not likely to decrease.
“We have a continual need for food,” she said, “and soon we’ll also need Thanksgiving foods.”
Like last year, the “street beat” will help NHS students fill their mandatory community service hours.
This year’s NHS president, Glorya Cho, hopes that other students will join them.
Hutchins concurs: “(The food drive) is a great way to celebrate the holiday and still be out there going door-to-door.
“It’s definitely our treat.”
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Halloween events on Bainbridge Island
Pumpkin Walk: Bainbridge Gardens hosts their ninth annual Pumpkin Walk, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 25-26. Bring a flashlight for the non-scary, family-friendly walk past 300 carved and lighted pumpkins. Donations suggested for Boys and Girls Club. Information: 842-5888.
Halloween Carnival: Join in the fun at Wilkes Elementary School’s Annual Halloween Carnival, 1-6 p.m. Oct. 26 at Wilkes. New games! New prizes! Information: 842-4411.
Senior Lunch: Chuckwagon Senior Nutrition hosts a Halloween lunch for senior citizens age 60 and over at noon Oct. 31 in the Bainbridge Island Senior Center. Reservations are required by 2:30 p.m. Oct. 30; $2.25 suggested donation. (888) 877-8511.
Scary Stories: This evening is not for the faint of heart, as master storyteller and long-time Bainbridge poet, thespian, educator and carpenter Bob McAllister is joined by Garrett Vance, a fellow contributor to “The Troll Tales and Other Stories,” 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at Eagle Harbor Book Co. Information: 842-5332.
UNICEF: Children from three local Montessori schools are working together this year to raise money for UNICEF. Voyager Montessori Elementary kids will carry the familiar orange boxes door to door, while Montessori Country School and Leaps and Bounds will have containers at the schools to collect change.
Collect for Helpline: Teens are invited to help collect non-perishable food items to donate to Helpline. Drop off collected food to the agency on Knechtel Way.
Halloween Downtown: Team Winslow and downtown merchants invite the children of Bainbridge to trick or treat from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 31. Look for participating stores displaying orange pumpkin posters.
A new stop along Winslow Way this year is Stephens House next to Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, where Bainbridge disabled youths give out the mini-doughnuts they make and sell there daily.
Kiwanis and Rotary volunteers will be crossing guards for traffic safety from the Pavilion to Parfitt and along Winslow Way. Team Winslow will serve hot cider provided by T&C Market. Information: 842-2982.
Tricksters Meet Oldsters: Wyatt House Retirement Center invites small trick-or-treaters to the center’s Halloween party, 1-3 p.m. Oct. 31, to collect treats.
Harvest Party: Everyone is welcome to the annual family Harvest Party from 5-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at Bainbridge Alliance Church on Sportsman Club Road. Enjoy carnival-type games, prizes, food, candy, crafts, raffle drawings and fun! Geared for children up to sixth grade. Bring a canned goods donation for Helpline House and a bag of candy to share. Non-scary, God-honoring costumes only, please. Information: 842-4288.
