Students to Seek Spirit of Giving on Halloween
Instead of “Trick or Treat,” hundreds of high school students in Pomona and nearby cities are expected to chorus “Trick or CAN” Wednesday as they knock on doors and ask households to donate a can to feed the homeless over the holidays.
The program is the brainchild of Brian Colter, 18, a graduate of Ganesha High School in Pomona. Colter launched the program last Halloween, and 250 students from three high schools collected more than 10,000 cans. The food was given to the Pomona Salvation Army, which distributed it to needy people.
Colter, who will enter the University of Hawaii as a business major in January, has expanded the program to include eight high schools in Pomona, Ontario, Montclair, Covina and Diamond Bar. This year, he hopes to collect 50,000 cans.
“It was designed for high school students, who don’t go out and collect candy but might go out and make mischief,” Colter said. “We’re offering a positive alternative.”
In addition, Colter has organized a weeklong canned food drive at 20 junior high and elementary schools. In each city, the teen-ager worked with the local Salvation Army chapter and made presentations to the schools to secure their approval.
On Halloween night, high school students will go door-to-door in their neighborhoods from 6 to 9 p.m., asking families to donate cans instead of candy.
Those interested in participating or making donations should contact Ed Walsh at the Pomona Unified School District at (714) 397-4940.
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