Waltham Group sponsors a trick-or-treat campaign to fight hunger

A group of Brandeis students will go trick-or-treating this Halloween—but not for sugary candies.

More than 150 student, staff and faculty Waltham Group volunteers plan to go door-to-door throughout Waltham on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2-8 p.m. to ask for donations of non-perishable food items for the Greater Boston Food Bank.

This is the 29^th year that the Waltham Group’s Hunger and Homelessness program has sponsored Halloween for the Hungry. Last year’s event collected more than 3,000 food items. Most of the trick-or-treating will be done on foot, but the Waltham Group will also operate vans in some of the nearby neighborhoods.

Though the event addresses a serious societal issue, the participants aim to make it a fun, community-building event for both the campus and the city. And yes, dressing-up is allowed—encouraged, in fact—as a show of holiday spirit.

“Brandeis students can get out and have fun,” said Brian Quigley, community service specialist in Brandeis’ Department of Community Service. “But this also raises awareness about food and housing insecurity and allows students to give back.

“It’s a great way for students to connect with the Waltham community in a way they normally wouldn’t,” Quigley added.

The Waltham Group is placing collection bins inside Bernstein-Marcus, the Usdan Student Center, the Shapiro Admissions and the Mandel Center for the Humanities buildings for Brandeis community members who are unable to participate but want to make a donation.

Those interested in participating in this Saturday’s Halloween for the Hungry event should contact the Waltham Group.