Any Inspiring Ideas For Halloween?

[Daryn Kagan]

Halloween has to be one of the most fun holidays of the year. It can still have an inspirational twist. I tell you about one in my blog today.

What about you? Any suggestions on how you can put an inspiring twist on Halloween? Please share.

[Rose Caplan]

Here's how University of Utah students are celebrating Halloween:

In an article posted Thursday, October 29, onThe Daily Utah Chronicle’s website, University of Utah student Brandon Beifuss calls on his community this Halloween to donate cans of food or money to benefit the Utah Food Bank during the Trick-or-Can drive and the Black Pumpkin Affair.

The Bennion Community Service Center is planning a door-to-door Trick-or-Can drive today at 5:30 p.m. from the southwest corner of the Rice-Eccles Stadium parking lot. This volunteer-based can drive, which ends at 8:30 p.m., is a simple way to put a few hours toward community service. Volunteers can even come in costume.

Becca Van Maren, the coordinator of this event, said the economic downturn has forced people to opt out of eating.

“People are forced to choose between paying medical bills, rent, heat and many other expenses,” she said. “Food is the one thing in people’s budgets that they have more wiggle room with.”

Another opportunity exists for students at the U through the Black Pumpkin Affair, an annual Crimson Nights event. Students usually get into Crimson Nights with just their UCard, but the Black Pumpkin Affair is asking that students also bring two cans of food to donate.

With 5,000 students expected to attend the Black Pumpkin Affair by the Union Programming Council, this is a good chance to enjoy a sizeable party while supporting the community around you.

“Demand is on the rise,” Maren said. “Donations are also on the rise but are still not able to cover the amount of demand.”

“If a student donates money instead of canned goods, we will make sure it gets where it is supposed to be: the Utah Food Bank,” said Rachel Sellers, UPC director of Crimson Nights.

There are plenty of incentives to enjoy both the Black Pumpkin Affair and the Trick-or-Can drive by giving during the holiday weekend.

Volunteers, as well as cans, for either of these organizations are happily accepted.