Did Manitouwadge’s 3rd Annual Trick or Eat Struggle to Compete w/Township Event?
Some of Manitouwadge's 2012 Trick or Eaters including Lewis Budgell (1st on left back row) who surprised the organizer by showing up to volunteer as a driver. Photo Natalie Labbee
Organizer Natalie Labbee with her own Trick or Eaters, sons Evan and Luc, and friend Emeraude stand proudly in front of well stocked food bank shelves at the end of the evening. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com
Trick or Eaters heading out to collect donations. Photo Natalie Labbee
MANITOUWADGE, ON – Manitouwadge’s 3rd Annual Trick or Eat was a great success. 13 Adults and 22 youth participated in addition to 8 of the food bank’s regular volunteers who were on hand to help sort the food. An estimated $3000 worth of non-perishable food donations were collected as well as $55 in cash donations. Unfortunately with participant numbers having dropped significantly there were a few streets which Trick or Eaters did not have time to visit, thankfully residents who had prepared donations in anticipation of Trick or Eat delivered their donations to the Food Bank themselves. Approximately 9 smaller streets remained unvisited by Trick or Eaters at the end of the evening; up from just 3 in 2011.
A little more than half as many participants, compared to 2011, canvassed as part of this year’s Trick or Eat Food Drive which, once again, was much needed by the Manitouwadge Food Bank as shelves become quite sparsely stocked at this time of year. Decline in participation numbers, say some critics, was caused in large part by an event the township knowingly planned the same night, targeting kids of the same age as many of those who usually volunteer for Trick or Eat in the community. In spite of this the Community Services Programmer said she “Had not thought of donating proceeds” from the “Child’s Play” Halloween event she organized to the food bank explaining she first needed to ensure costs of planning and hosting the event were covered (well over 100 kids participated paying a cover charge of $2 each). A week later however the Trick or Eat organizer confirmed there had, as of yet, been no donation made through Trick or Eat for the food bank, from the Community Services Department; whether there had been any profits from the township’s October 29th event is unclear.
Organizer Natalie Labbee with one of her Trick or Eat friends, Emeraude. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com
Teenage Trick or Eaters set a great example of volunteerism for their younger peers. Photo by Natalie Labbee
Those who participated in the 2012 Trick or Eat initiative toured the food bank before and after their canvassing to see what a significant difference their efforts had made. Some parents commented that this was a great lesson for the kids as they saw first hand what a difference they had made while putting into perspective how many people or families in our own town depend on the food bank. Each participant was also given one of the snazzy reusable “Trick or Eat” bags as a token of appreciation for their efforts.
Trick or Eat Organizer Natalie Labbee shared why the cause was one she believed in “Each year, over 120 communities across Canada participate in Trick or Eat and I am proud to help and be part of keeping Manitouwadge involved” said Labbee explaining that “Every month, over 850,000 Canadians don’t have enough food in their cupboards and have to go to a food bank to receive supplies. For the past three years, our community has continued to come together to make a difference in the lives of neighbours who are less fortunate by supporting Trick or Eat. It’s a small step in the fight against hunger in our country but we are able to make a difference in our community.” Labbee was clearly touched by the amount of support shown, most people visited had donations ready and waiting, “Manitouwadge never ceases to amaze me with the continued generosity and enthusiasm shown.” Labbee was also pleased to learn that in the same way she had been inspired to launch the initiative in Manitouwadge after seeing Marathon’s Trick or Eat advertised 3 years ago; St. Martin School Principal Kerry Robinson-Dejardins in Terrace Bay had heard about the events being held in neighbouring communities and was inspired to organize the event in her community.
Organizer Natalie Labbee thanked all those who helped to make this year’s event a success including regular food bank volunteers; Carmen Vrbanzic, Carol Baye, Louis & Jane Kannar, Ruth MacDonald, Candace Maynard, Judy MacNeil, Vi Middleton, and Debbie Arola who worked diligently to keep up with sorting the donations as they arrived. Labbee also thanked sponsors Barrick Gold and Signs & Embroidery (Marathon) for providing the bright green, reusable, cloth bags the Trick or Eaters used when canvassing, and media sponsors OntarioNewsNorth.com and CFNO.
Early on in the evening food bank shelves are clearly in need of donations. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com
RELATED LINKS
- Marathon Trick or Eaters Collect Well Over $11 000 Worth of Food!
- Learn more about how Canadians ‘Took a bite out of hunger’ this Halloween
- 2nd Annual TRICK OR EAT Food Drive – Manitouwadge
- Marathon Trick Or Eat Estimated at $10,000 of Non-Perishables!
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- Trick or Eaters heading out to collect donations. Photo Natalie Labbee
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- Regular food bank volunteers sort arriving donations. Photo by Natalie Labbee
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- Trick or Eaters deliver collected non-perishable donations to the food bank. Photo Natalie Labbee
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- Teenage Trick or Eaters set a great example of volunteerism for their younger peers. Photo by Natalie Labbee
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- This Superhero had her hands full with non-perishable donations collected during Trick or Eat. Photo Natalie Labbee.
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- Some of Manitouwadge’s 2012 Trick or Eaters including Lewis Budgell (1st on left back row) who surprised the organizer by showing up to volunteer as a driver. Photo Natalie Labbee
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- Organizer Natalie Labbee with her own Trick or Eaters, sons Evan and Luc, and friend Emeraude stand proudly in front of well stocked food bank shelves at the end of the evening. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com
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- Organizer Natalie Labbee with one of her Trick or Eat friends, Emeraude. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com
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- Early on in the evening food bank shelves are clearly in need of donations. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com
