Halloween haul presented to Amherstburg Food & Fellowship Mission

Donations raised through Halloween displays at the Grant, Anderson and Shank homes were turned over to the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission Nov. 4. A total of 1,737 food items and $707 in cash were delivered to the mission.

Halloween displays that were set up on McLellan Dr. and in Malden Centre have paid off for the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission.

“Scream Hollow Wicked Halloween Park” was presented at the Grant home at 440 McLellan Ave. while “Carn-Evil” was at the Shank home across the street at 437 McLellan Ave. The Anderson family presented “The Shrine on Durango” at their Durango St. home in Malden Centre.

This year’s total between the three homes saw 1,737 food items donated to the mission and $707 in cash. The donations were dropped off Nov. 4.

“We’re excited when people come together to help out and believe in people helping people,” said Tim McAllister, president of the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission. “Everyone is excited.”

There are a lot of people in need, McAllister added, so the volunteers at the mission are thrilled to see all the donations come in. 

Ever since the mission put a call out that their food bank was getting low, donations have been coming in steadily including the large donation from the Halloween displays.

Once the donations arrive, volunteers sort them by food item and expiration date. 

McAllister said it is a lot of work but work they love doing.

“I’ve never seen everyone so excited,” he said.

Ken Grant said they even stayed open the night after Halloween and more donations rolled in. 

Grant added they were grateful to everyone who showed up not only to see the display, but to donate to the mission as well. He reported over 900 kids stopped by Halloween night.

The replica ferris wheel was popular this year, Grant added, with next year’s theme not etched in stone yet. He said he is leaning towards a jailhouse theme.

“It’s nice to see everyone come out and help in a time of need,” he said.

Anderson added they had more people come out this year, noting some came to his family’s home after coming from McLellan Ave. He said they hope even more people come out to “The Shrine on Durango” in future years.

“We only expect things to go up as our name gets out there,” said Anderson. 

Halloween haul presented to Amherstburg Food & Fellowship Mission

By Ron Giofu