The Halloween holiday is usually about receiving, but the Kelly Walsh student council turns it into a holiday about giving. Once a year the Kelly Walsh student council puts together a “Trick or Treat” for cans, non-perishable, and dry foods. The KW student council takes the foods they collect and donates them to the Casper Meals on Wheels charity.
Close to the end of October students volunteer to pass out papers to nearby neighborhoods, inviting them to donate foods. Students who participate in student council are given flyers and a map and take time out of their day to hand out hundreds of papers to the neighborhoods around the east side of town.
“I went after school and took invitations to peoples houses, then we will all go pick up canned goods and donate them,” said student Jaidyn Jones.
The Council asks families to donate foods like, ramen noodles, cookies, crackers, fruit snacks, granola bars, and any canned foods.
Later in the month, closer to Halloween, student council members get together during a meeting, dress up in Halloween costumes and go out and pick up all donated items from houses. KW has done this for about 25 years and will continue to do so. It is a very successful tradition, which also helps the community.
People around town are always generous and more than willing to help. In the past people have called the school and offered to donate to this fundraiser without even getting a flier. The community is very understanding and wanting to participate.
There are kids all over Casper in need of food and schools can’t always provide it. Teacher Mrs. Williams said, “It has more of an impact on teachers, it’s nice for teachers to be able to give food to students in need without the stress of having to provide it.”
Throughout the year, there are a handful of kids who are in need and having snacks and meals to give students to take home and eat that are donated by generous families is much easier than always depending on the staff to provide it.
“I feel blessed for what I have, and I feel humble to help give to the people who are in need of more,” senior Kennedy Davila said.
