By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Volunteers across Hays knocked on doors to collect food for Tuesday night's Community Assistance Center Trick-or-Treat So Others Can Eat food drive.
Theresa Hill, Community Assistance Center director, said Tuesday's event is the agency's largest food drive of the year.
Hill said last year, the drive yielded 12,000 items of food. To meet an increased demand for food, organizers were hoping for as many as 20,000 items this year.
Food prices are on the rise, which has increased demand. The pantry shelves were almost bare before Tuesday night's drive.
The pantry has had to use cash donations to supplement food donations.
Hill said she spent $900 on food last week, which only lasted a week.
"It's expensive," Hill said. "Everything has doubled in price. It's crazy. Or tripled in price."
Local EMTs will sponsor another food drive in November, and Hill said she hopes the two drives will supply the pantry until spring.
The pantry accepts food and monetary donations throughout the year.
To receive food from the pantry, you must be an Ellis County resident. A utility bill or lease can prove residency. You also need to provide proof of income for everyone in your household.
The center is now taking registrations for Christmas boxes. The applications are due Nov. 4.
The Community Assistance Center, 1108 Oak, is open 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Many community groups and individuals volunteered to both collect food as well as sort food at the center on Tuesday.
Hays High DECA has been a long-time sponsor of the event.
Girl Scout Troop 10088 was among the groups going door-to-door to collect donations. The elementary school girls skipped from house to house, sometimes holding hands.
The Scouts eagerly took turns ringing doorbells and waited with great anticipation to see if someone would open the door.
Disappointed that they had to go home, some girls remarked at the end of their four blocks of collection, "We're done already?"
Girl Scouts from across the Hays also collected from other areas of the city.
