NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WKBW) — "We have no idea how many people will hit the streets but we're hoping a couple hundred," Stephanie Barmann, the president of Grassroots North Tonawanda said.
Barmann isn't talking about your traditional trick-or-treaters. She's talking about the community group Grassroots North Tonawanda, which will head door-to-door on October 28th to trick or treat for non-perishable food.
"Anything that's non-perishable. They also take diapers, shampoo, soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes..." said Barmann.
The group will be collecting all of these items for the little food pantries scattered throughout North Tonawanda.
"They have no problems walking up, taking it. They don't have to fill out any paperwork or wait in any lines. It just makes it a lot simpler, a lot easier. And without embarrassment," Barmann said.
"And it may not be the person you think of who would be in need of food assistance. It could be your coworker. A lot of people are struggling with this problem in silence," said Catherine Shick, whose the Communications Director for Food More WNY.
The volunteers are touching on an issue that Feed More WNY deals with every day.
"A lot of people in our community think that hunger is just an inner city problem. But in reality, Feed More WNY is really touching every corner of Western New York with our services," Shick said.
So keep your eyes out for one of Grassroots North Tonawanda's fliers, because they could be headed to your street the Monday between 6 and 8 p.m.
"If the people aren't home, put it on the porch. If they don't want to be bothered, put it on the porch. If the lights are out, same thing as regular trick or treating... we'll skip by the house," Barmann said.
