Many students look back fondly on their days of trick-or-treating. Creative costumes, scary decorations, jack-o-lanterns, and of course brimming bags of candy dominated the end of October. For most university students, the joys of Halloween have been pushed into the background in the last couple of years. Comments like “aren’t you too old to be trick-or-treating”, peers who are “too cool” for costumes, as well as a sense of maturity all lead to a decline in Halloween fun. If your student loves Halloween and wants to experience the thrill of trick-or-treating once again, we have the perfect solution!

Every Halloween, the University of Guelph Chapter Meal Exchange hosts the Trick-or-Eat Campaign. Over 1500 students participate, going door to door collecting non-perishable food items to donate to the Guelph Food Bank. So far, the record for food collected is 48 000 lbs of food collected in 2008 and this year we’re looking to break that record! While Trick-or-Eat is an undeniably good cause, it’s also a lot of fun. Students can sign up as individuals or on teams at www.trickoreat.ca.

Once signed up, students wait until Halloween and then meet in the University Centre Courtyard at 4:00pm to sign in. Food collection occurs until 8:30, after which students head back to the University Centre to deliver the food that they have collected. Meal Exchange has promised that there will be “live bands, food and fun” for all participating students.

If the incentives of fun and helping the community weren’t enough, students are also able to collect money or donate themselves to reach fundraising goals. Every student who raises $75.00, will receive a free Gelaskin (www.gelaskins.com) and those that raise $25.00 will be entered into a draw to win a Toshiba LCD 40” TV. The top fundraiser will receive a Toshiba Notebook.

Trick-or-Eat is a great way for busy students to participate. It’s only one night so students don’t need to hesitate about making a long term commitment! Besides, in my experience, not a whole lot of homework gets done on Halloween, so students might as well clear the night for fun! If your student is interested in getting involved in the Meal Exchange program on a more regular basis, they can contact meal@uoguelph.ca for more information.

I hope to see your students out there!
Alexandra