Trunk-or-treat events cater to Columbus families

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Trick-or-treat or trunk-or-treat? With Halloween on the horizon, local families are having to make a choice between sticking to tradition or trying something new.

Organizers of several Columbus trunk-or-treat events spoke about why having the option is important.

“We feel particularly in this neighborhood, it’s really important that every family that maybe can’t afford Halloween… [that] this is a place that they can come and it can be safe and fun,” Lisa Herring, founder of the East Carver Heights Community Development Corporation said.

Herring’s organization has partnered with the Boxwood Recreation Center and other local groups to bring a trunk-or-treat event to the Boxwood Community Center on Oct. 30.

The one-hour event will start at 5 p.m. and is open to anyone.

According to Herring, it will also serve to get food into the bellies of community members in need, as the looming loss of SNAP benefits hovers over local families.

“We care about our families and so that’s why we’re definitely going to have something to eat here besides candy,” Herring said.

Hot dogs and other snacks will be available at the event. According to Sgt. Angela Florence with the Columbus Police Department, CPD’s “Cops & Treats” event, also on Thursday evening from 5:30 to 7:30, will have food available too.

“You want to make sure that the child is safe and whoever’s with the child is safe,” Florence said about these types of Halloween events. She continued, “You may be in an area that, you know, it may not be safe to go out late at night knocking on doors asking for candy.”

“Cops & Treats” will take place at the public safety building on 10th Street.

Safety and family fun are also at the forefront of another trick-or-treat event and fall festival hosted by the Salvation Army of Columbus.

“Events like this mean so much to me as a parent because this time of year, while it is so much fun…sometimes you know, you can see some things that are little scary for small children,” said Drew Hunt, communications manager for the Salvation Army of Columbus.

Hunt, a mother of four young children, explained the Salvation Army will provide a scare-free environment with activities for kids of all ages from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 at its Warm Springs Road location.

If you are going to do traditional trick-or-treating, CPD recommends staying away from areas that are not well lit, bringing a flashlight or glow stick, and wearing reflective tape if costumes are made of dark material.

Trusted adults should join trick-or-treaters and make sure to check over their candy.