Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat UPDATE

food drive deca guys — HHS DECA seniors Kyler Niernberger, Brady Bieker and Kade Parker sort and count food donations Tuesday night

The shelves at the Community Assistance Center in Hays were nearly bare, according to director Teresa Hill, except for a lone can of green beans and a few more cans of pork and beans.

That completely changed Tuesday night, as volunteers from 25 organizations went door to door in Hays collecting food during “Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat.”

The annual event is coordinated by the Hays High School DECA club. Adviser Shaina Prough has organized the canned food drive and its many volunteers for at least 14 years.

“We have churches that get involved, the Boy and Girl Scouts, 4-H, Fort Hays State University, TMP-Marian High School STUCO, some businesses, and civic clubs all helping to collect the non-perishable donations from Hays residents,” says Prough. “The nice weather made for a good turnout.”

The Community Assistance Center serves needy residents of Ellis County.

food drive counter — Volunteers sort boxed foods

The town of Schoenchen conducted its food drive Sunday and brought 86 canned goods to help fill the pantry. Ellis and Victoria will organize similar drives.

You can still donate your items if your house was missed or you live in a rural area. Just drop them by the Community Assistance Center at 12th and Oak.