Some teens go to a friend's house or watch a movie on Halloween, and maybe some still trick or treat for candy, but the Leo Club members of Crookston go trick or treating for canned foods to bring to the food shelf at the Care and Share Center.
"We encourage all members to dress in costume," said MaryAnn Odland, adviser of Leo Club. "It is a fun evening and a fun way to go out and help others by stocking the food shelf; and maybe getting a piece of candy or two."
Participants meet, all dressed up, at 5:30 p.m. every Oct. 31 in the high school commons area. Pictures are taken of the trick-or-treaters, and pizza is served at 5:45 p.m. Each Leo Club member brings $3 to pay for the pizza and drinks.
Each group, made up of club members in grades nine through 12, gets a map of the part of town where they will be collecting canned food items. By 8 p.m., the participants meet at the Care and Share Center, where they deliver the items they've collected to the Crookston food shelf. Students without a driver's license can participate, too. They just get an older sibling or relative to drive.
A total of 103 club members participate in Leo Club activities annually, and about 55 par-ticipate in the Leo Club trick or treat. Last year, they collected 2,000 pounds of canned goods.
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But it's not the only event Leo Club members hold on Halloween. They also deliver Meals on Wheels and include with the meals a trick-or-treat bag decorated with candy and peanuts. Care and Share residents get treat bags, too.
The Crookston Police Department sponsors a community Halloween party each year with games planned by the Leo Club. It's always held the Sunday before Halloween for all Crookston children up through fourth grade. It is free of charge, but people are encouraged to bring canned food items that also will go to the food shelf.
Rhode is a junior at Crookston High School.
