Mahwah Family Starts 'Hunger is Scary' Halloween Drive

One Mahwah family is hoping to turn the tables on Halloween, rewriting the trick-or-treating rulebook and using the holiday as a way to fight hunger.

According to Sharon Pushie, she first got the idea to bring a “Hunger is Scary” drive to the township two years ago, when her sister and nephew started the drive near their home in Massachusetts. Pushie’s family was planning to bring the idea to Mahwah last year, but Hurricane Sandy delayed their plans.

Now, Pushie is working with her three kids to gather volunteers to help collect cans on Halloween.

“We are basically looking for teenagers who don’t trick-or-treat anymore to volunteer,” Pushie said.

“They’ll go around with our ‘Hunger is Scary’ bags, and trick-or-treat for donations of canned foods and other non-perishable food donations.”

Pushie said the volunteers will work before Halloween to get the word out to residents to have cans on hand for the spooky drive.

All of the food collected will be donated to the Center for Food Action.

“We are hoping to get as many volunteers as possible this year, and grow it into a bigger and bigger event every year after,” Pushie said.

If you’s like to get involved, reach out to the family at stpushie@yahoo.com or 201-760-9568.