The University of Arizona, College of Agriculture

Economic Development and Quality of Life for People and Communities
Trick or Treat so People Can Eat

Issue

Community food banks conduct periodic drives, particularly near the holidays, to replenish their stores of food for the needy. Several years ago, 4-H youth in La Paz County, Arizona, began a food drive that took place on Halloween in conjunction with trick-or-treating. In 1997, the program was adopted through 4-H on a statewide basis, and reflected 4-H's commitment to youth and adult partnerships.

What has been done?

"Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat" was an Arizona 4-H Community Service project held in 1999 to benefit community food banks. Youth were encouraged to trick or treat for non- perishable food items. About 614 youth collected food in seven counties across the state. The UA's Collegiate Wildcat 4-H Club was a part of this activity; they donated part of their collection to Tucson's Ronald McDonald House.

Impact

In 1999, more than 12,447 pounds of food were collected from across Arizona, nearly double the amount collected in 1998. Not only was a large amount of food made available for needy families, the program also promoted the 4-H program's commitment to youth and adult partnerships and its emphasis on youth making a difference in the community.

"When we delivered food to the food bank, the kids decided to stay around and help sort food," said Sue Browning, a 4-H volunteer in Maricopa County. "The kids keep asking me when we get to go back to the food bank."

Funding

Feeding the Hungry Grant Program, with Kraft Foods, Inc. and National 4-H Council as partners

Contact

Lisa Lauxman, coordinator, curriculum development
State 4-H Office, College of Agriculture
University of Arizona
Forbes Building, Room 315
Tucson, Arizona 85721
Tel: (520) 621-7131 FAX (520) 621-1927
Email: lauxman@ag.arizona.edu

This report is one of 29 impact statements submitted by the University of Arizona College of Agriculture to the USDA's 1999 CSREES Science and Education Impacts database in Washington, D.C. An impact statement is a brief summary, in lay terms, of the economic, environmental and/or social impact of a land-grant program. It states accomplishments and their payoff to society.
Located at http://ag.arizona.edu/impacts/2000/foodbank.html
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