Published by Communications and Public Affairs 519 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338

News Release

October 19, 2005

'Trick or Eat' Campaign Blitz Begins

When costumed University of Guelph students go door to door from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Halloween, they won’t be asking for candy for themselves — they’ll be collecting food for the Guelph Food Bank.

The annual “Trick or Eat” campaign is organized by Meal Exchange, a national student-run organization that aims to engage students from 30 Canadian campuses in solving the problem of hunger in their communities.

To get things started, a campaign blitz will be held today in Branion Plaza from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to recruit volunteers for this year’s “Trick or Eat” event.

U of G students have taken part in the “Trick or Eat” initiative since 2002. “This year, our goal is to have 1,000 volunteers participate and to once again beat our own record for the amount of food collected,” said Leisha Zamecnik, Meal Exchange central co-ordinator and third-year U of G student. Last year, the students collected more than 16,000 pounds of food, which is a national record.

“Nearly 20,000 people are at risk of hunger in Guelph, and one in four of them is under the age of 15,” said Zamecnik. “Many people don’t realize that these issues are in their own backyard, and “Trick or Eat” gives students a fun way to help make a difference.”

Students can sign up to participate in “Trick or Eat” until Oct. 31. Cash donations can be also be made online with proceeds going to one of the 17 community organizations that Meal Exchange helps to support. For more information, contact Tommy Lau, Meredith McNulty or Zamecnik at (519) 824-4120, Ext. 58212, or meal@uoguelph.ca.

Registration information and online donation form