Dig out your spookiest fancy dress, grab some food to donate and join Stoke Newington’s legendary Trick or Eat Halloween Trail.
Dozens of traders in Stoke Newington are stocking up on treats for trick or treaters and preparing to act as a collection point for Hackney Foodbank.
The event, which takes place from 3pm till 6pm on Monday October 31st, is full of fun and for a purpose. Organised by the Local Buyers Club, Trick or Eat has been going for four years and has collected more than eight tonnes of food for people in need.
Among the businesses taking part are Earlybird Cards, Location Location, Revere the Residence, Know & Love, Folka, Array, Archie Foal, Hub, Re:Store, The Good Egg, Good Things Deli, Jarr Market, Bless, Dogsnug, Nook, Rude: Everyday Sunshine, Beaucatcher, Prep, The Three Crowns, Search and Rescue, Stoke Newington Toyshop, Stoke Newington Bookshop, Sophie MacBain, Of Cabbages and Kings and Tame Barbers.
Heidi Early, of Earlybird Cards, said: “We do Halloween well in Stokey! Many businesses stay open later to welcome the hundreds of trick-or-treaters who come for the Halloween Trail and lots of us dress up for the occasion. Spooky window displays are already starting to pop up around town. There will be plenty of treats to go around and we would urge everyone who can to bring along some non-perishable food for Hackney Foodbank who are helping thousands of people in crisis.”
A special Halloween Trail Trick or Eat map has been set up to help families find participating households and businesses. Around 100 addresses including homes, shops, restaurants and pubs are taking part.
Tanya Whitfield, Head of Services for Hackney Foodbank, added: “Trick or Eat makes a big difference to us each year. The Local Buyers Club team puts considerable effort into running this event and we’re always moved to tears by the response. Things are pretty tough at the moment. We’re having to give out no-heat food parcels to some residents who can’t afford to heat food and, as people struggle to meet the cost of living, we’re seeing huge demand which will only worsen as the evenings get colder.”
Demand for Hackney Foodbank is up by more than 125% since before the pandemic and food donations have halved as the cost-of-living crisis impacts regular donors. Around 40% of the people supported by the food bank are employed.
Items in short supply include corned beef, tea and coffee, tinned fruit, tinned meat, tinned vegetables, long-life juice, loo rolls, biscuits, UHT milk, curry sauce, pasta sauce, shampoo, shower gel and sanitary towels.