Kalika Valentine-Erikson

Instead of asking for tricks or treats, Winona State University athletes are knocking on doors to collect something much more beneficial for the community.

On Monday Oct. 26, Winona State athletes participated in the fourth annual Trick-or-Treat for Cans. For an hour, athletes walked around the community of Winona collecting canned goods and other non-perishable food items. All of the collected items were donated to the food shelf at Winona Volunteer Services, which provides monthly supplemental foods to community members in need.

This event was proposed and carried out by the athletic department as a way to give back to the community.

Volunteer Coordinator at Winona Volunteer Services Chelsea Goldblatt said the athletes will come knocking door to door for non-perishable foods, including canned or boxed items.

“The athletic department wanted to do something on their own and so they have been doing this food drive for about four years,” Goldblatt said.

According to their website, the best things to donate are peanut butter, dried beans, canned stews and soups, canned meats, rice, instant potatoes, complete baking mixes and juices.

“You’re more than welcome to bring produce or frozen foods [to the food shelf],” she said.

The food shelf also always welcomes cash donations. Every donated dollar can be used to purchase food from a central food bank.

Senior Jeffrey Brown, who plays defensive end on Winona State’s football team, said the athletes add a twist to their volunteering.

“It’s kind of a competition,” Brown said.

All of the participating sports break up into teams, but Brown said that the football team has an advantage because they have the most people.

Despite it being like a competition, Brown joked they try not to get too intense and scare people, since they are knocking on doors in the dark.

As a senior, Brown said he was sad this year was his last time participating in the event.

“It’s just like a race,” Brown said. “I had a lot of fun doing it last year.”

Another Halloween activity on campus is trick-or-treating in the residence halls. Dorm residents will be giving out treats to children in the Winona community.

On Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m., dorm residents are able to sign up to hand out candy to Elsa, Thomas the Train, a Ninja Turtle or whoever else may walk through the halls on Halloween. Residents can also dress up, if they want.

Whether it’s with Kit Kats or Skittles, Winona State dorm residents are able to make these kids’ wishes come true.

First-year Erin Reiner said she was looking forward to the event as an opportunity to be a part of the community.

“My RA was talking to a group from our floor, and we were discussing the different activities going on during Halloween around campus. She brought up the trick or treating, and how it would make the kids’ night if we participated,” Reiner said. “Being able to see all the kids dressed up and having fun getting candy will be the most fun part about the night.”

In either collecting cans for Winona residents in need of a little help or handing out candy to Winona children in want of a sweet treat, Winona State residents are giving back to the community this Halloween.