Spooky organizers hope to surpass 2003

Evelyn Browne, the founder of the It's Spooky to be Hungry food drive, is once again asking for help from her community.

"Our mission is to help fight hunger while working to strengthen our community," she said, referring to her organization, which has a focus of bringing people in the community together "one bag of food at a time."

More than 61,000 pounds of food and $31,000 were collected at the drive's 2003 weigh-in, and Browne said she hopes this year's It's Spooky to Be Hungry drive will have similar, if not better, results.

On Saturday, the group will bring out its wagons and barrels to collect money and nonperishable canned food items for the needy to donate to Golden Harvest Food Bank.

As part of Make a Difference Day, Browne said, the event is a community effort that in the past has involved 130 neighborhoods and 1,600 volunteers.

"Hundreds of people give of themselves to make this work, and that is very inspiring to me," she said. "That is what has made my community my home."

Serving the less fortunate for 10 years now, Browne said she revels in knowing that people in the community care to lend a helping hand to serve others.

"It's all these different pieces of the community that each does their part and that's what makes us whole," she said. "I couldn't be happier."

Debbie Johnson, of Evans, agrees.

"It's amazing," Johnson, the group's co-chairwoman, said. "I mean, the growth has been tremendous. I mean, I was on the phone with someone today talking with people who want to come on board with Spooky."

Fighting hunger with a purpose is a mission Johnson said the group is committed to.

"The real message that we are trying to send is that we can be a better community within our own neighborhood, and the greater community is where people are hungry."

FIND OUT MORE

Call 863-5863 or go to www.spookytobehungry.org.