M’CHIGEENG—Each year, as Jack-O-Lanterns are lit on front steps and ghoulish decorations line the streets, the students of Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) prepare for an annual event to support Manitoulin Family Resources. This year, despite the rainy Halloween night, the community came together once again to help those in need through MSS’s initiative, Halloween For Hunger.
The event, spearheaded by a group of dedicated students from SHARE/Go-Green, saw remarkable participation and generosity. Kaden Jamieson, Dylan Kuntsi, Leo Desjardins, Amara Wilson-Zegil and Tanner Hooper led the campaign, which involved the collection of non-perishable food items and monetary donations to benefit the Living Well Locker at MSS and Manitoulin Family Resources.
Even the weather could not dampen the mood of the 27 students who signed up to help with the collection. With umbrellas and raincoats, they went door to door in several communities across Manitoulin Island, gathering a total of 342 non-perishable items. Their efforts were met with overwhelming kindness and support.
In addition to the items collected on Halloween night, MSS also hosted a homeroom challenge. Students and staff competed to see who could raise the most donations, resulting in an impressive $700 in cash and 217 additional non-perishable items.
The Living Well Locker, where some of the proceeds of this drive will go towards, is a resource within the school, providing students with access to food and other necessities. Manitoulin Family Resources offers support to individuals and family who are facing financial difficulties. The contributions from Halloween For Hunger will help both of these services to continue to assist those in need.
For those who missed the chance to contribute during the Halloween drive, donations can still be made to Manitoulin Family Resources. The organization accepts donations through the CanadaHelps website, ensuring that support continues to flow to families in need throughout the year. To contribute, please visit https://bit.ly/mfr-h4h.
The Halloween For Hunger organizers were proud to see the community come together, rain or shine, to support not only their students but also their neighbours.
by Alexandra Wilson-Zegil
