Kait Labbate, Centretown News
Mayor Jim Watson gets into the Halloween spirit.Once again this Halloween, city residents can join Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson for his ninth annual Trick-or-Treat-with-the-Mayor event.
The free event, to be held on Oct. 24 from 4 to 7 p.m., the free event offers an early start to the festivities as goblins, ghouls, witches and a fundraising spirit circulate through city hall.
The trick-or-treat fun raises funds for the Ottawa Food Bank.
“It started about nine years ago. It was really an opportunity to have the city host a safe trick-or-treat event at city hall and at the same time raise funds for the Ottawa Food Bank’s Baby Supply Cupboard,” says Watson. “I think it gives kids who come to the trick-or-treat party the chance to give to another kid who is not as fortunate.”
This cupboard supplies goods such as diapers, baby formula, and other things that are in high demand among struggling parents and families.
“The-Trick-or-Treat-with-the Mayor event has been really good to us,” says Samantha Ingram, communication co-ordinator for the Ottawa Food Bank. “(Watson) sets up a family friendly Halloween event. For people to get in what they have to do is donate a baby item, (which) supports our baby supply cupboard.”
According to Ingram, about 37 per cent of the people served by the Ottawa Food Bank are children. The agency donates to many other programs that help single parents and lower-income families.
“Generally speaking, these baby items like diapers are expensive,” says Ingram. “It is really great that the mayor and the City of Ottawa once a year rally together and help out these parents that need more.”
The event runs mainly with donations. It will flow through Jean Pigott Place and Andrew S. Haydon Hall, the spooky witches’ den.
“All these special events add to my view that city hall should be the people’s place,” says Watson.
The festivities continues outside in Marion Dewar Plaza along Laurier Avenue, where guests can decorate their own miniature pumpkins, enter a fall-themed photo booth and ride the Giant Tiger Train.
The decorations, as well as the witches’ den, are among this year’s new elements.
“This is the first year we’ve done it. We are donating a thousand Mickey Mouse cookies,” says Nadine Hecht, the owner of The Cake Shop located on Wellington Street. “I have a history with the mayor. I have known him for 15 years and he has been buying from me since he first became mayor.”
“People don’t realize there are so many people who don’t have food, especially children,” said Hecht. “It is amazing how many people go without.”
“We are donating the train, usually there is a cost associated with it. We also donated gift cards so they could help buy supplies and chips for the event,” says Sara Chesiuk, communications manager for retailer Giant Tiger.
“Anything that we can do to help make it more interactive and fun for kids and parents is where we are stepping in.”
Food bank usage has a big impact in the Ottawa community, says Ingram.
“First-time users have gone up by 28 per cent from 2013, and one of our largest demographics is single-parent families. Hunger doesn’t take a holiday.”