AMHERST – For 11 years a group of community activists have come together to celebrate fall and give Amherst’s food bank a bit of a boost.
Pumpkins for Poverty is back on Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Victoria Square in downtown Amherst.
"Last year we raised approximately $700 and a truckload of food for the food bank," Alison Lair of Empowering Beyond Barriers said. "People can bring a non-perishable food item or a monetary donation for the food bank and they get a pumpkin."
With fall in full swing and Halloween just around the corner, Lair said people are looking for pumpkins to decorate their homes, but also to cook with. For a donation of non-perishable food and/or money, people will receive a pumpkin.
She added it's also an inexpensive way for those living at or below the poverty line to purchase their own pumpkins.
The project couldn't happen without the support of Janet and Marty Rose of Alder Meadow Farm Linden, who donate the pumpkins.
The concept of Pumpkins for Poverty came about several years ago. Charlotte Ferguson of Empowering Beyond Barriers said she was looking for a unique way of supporting the food bank.
Not only does Pumpkins for Poverty raise money and some food for the food bank, it also raises awareness about poverty and the importance of supporting the food bank.
It's also something positive when there are so many negatives people have to deal with.
Lair said the event is also good in that those who don't have the money to go to a store and buy their own pumpkins can support the food bank and get a pumpkin.
She said the campaign also helps educate people about poverty in the community and raises awareness of the barriers faced by those living at or below the poverty line.
