Some costumed visitors knocking on doors in Exeter this Halloween won’t be looking for candy.
Volunteers with the Cultural Collective will be collecting non-perishable food donations for the Exeter Community Food Bank during its annual Flip-a-Tin campaign on Saturday, Oct. 31st.
Cultural Collective member Stephen Holmes says the idea combines the fun of Halloween with an opportunity to support neighbours who may be struggling.
The group has held similar collections several times over the years, including through a partnership with Centralia Faith Tabernacle.
This year, volunteers will meet at noon at the Cultural Collective studio and lounge before heading out across Exeter in costume.
Door-to-door collections will run from 1 to 3 p.m., earlier than the traditional trick-or-treating rush.
Residents are encouraged to have a tin or two of non-perishable food ready to add to volunteers’ collection bags.
Holmes says community support has always been an important part of the Cultural Collective’s work.
Holmes says organizers continue to see the need for food support grow as grocery prices and other household costs remain high.
Anyone who is missed during the collection can still donate directly to the food bank. Residents can also contact the Cultural Collective to arrange a pickup.
The group is also welcoming additional volunteers who would like to take part in the Halloween collection.
For Holmes, Flip-a-Tin keeps a long-running local tradition going while giving Halloween a little extra purpose.
