Trick or Treating for the Greater Good

The Dorchester Youth Council would like to thank everyone who was involved in making this year's Trick or Treat Canned Food Drive a resounding success.

Twelve Dorchester youth and twenty adult volunteers kicked off Halloween with the Dorchester Youth Council’s annual trick or treating service project in the Ashmont Hill and Melville Park neighborhoods of Dorchester. Instead of trick or treating for candy, these civic-minded individuals collected canned goods to benefit two community health center food pantries Dorchester House Multi-Service Center and Dorchester House Multi-Service for the 7th Annual Trick or Treat Canned Drive. During the holiday seasons the food demand increases at most food pantries, including in Dorchester.

As Marika Hewes, the Family Case Management Coordinator at the Dorchester House stated, "These donations will help out the community." This Halloween, the Dorchester Youth Council collected nearly 750 canned goods generously donated by Ashmont Hill and Melville Park residents. Their donations will help feed over 400 families who visit the Dorchester House and Codman Square food pantries every week.

In addition to collecting canned goods the council also stuffed 500 resource bags that were distributed to trick-or-treating families from the house of Melville resident, Doreen Treacy, who generously volunteers her house as our “headquarters” each year. These bags, donated by Mt. Washington Bank, highlighted Dotwell community programs and health services available at Codman Health Center, Codman Square Technology Center, and the Dorchester House Multi-Service Center.

In an effort to keep the season of giving going, the council will extend the Trick or Treat Canned Food Drive through Thanksgiving. They are inviting other members of the community to join the effort by making a donation at convenient drop off locations in Codman Square (450 Washington Street) and Fields Corner (1353 Dorchester Avenue). (Please make sure that the canned food donations are not expired.)

The Trick or Treat Canned Food Drive is an annual service project of the Dorchester Youth Council. Over the past seven years, the council has collected over 7,000 canned goods to benefit local pantries. The council is funded with the generous support of Sovereign Bank.

Again, the Dorchester Youth Council would like to thank everyone who was involved in making this yet another successful year. For more information about the event or the Youth Council please contact Keith Pernell at 617.740.2580 and Keith.Pernell@dotwell.org.