ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Halloween is a time of year that promotes imagination and fright but for some, the scary thought of hunger is real.

Colony Square Mall General Manager Jessica Brailer explained how an upcoming event combines terrifying costumes with gratifying generosity.

“We are getting ready for Trick-or-Treat at Colony Square Mall, which is happening on Halloween, October 31st from 5:30 p.m. until 7 o’clock p.m. And with that event, it’s a mallwide trick-or-treat event with participating retailers; some of which have some extra fun things planned within their stores. And we will also have a DJ here that evening set up in the food court. He’s going to be playing some fun Halloween music,” Brailer said.

Brailer is happy to see the trick-or-treat event returning to the mall along with the excitement the participating retailers are preparing to display. The mall offers a climate controlled environment in case of a frightful weather forecast.

‘Say BOO to Hunger’ is the name of the event and generosity will be the theme as the mall is asking participants to donate nonperishable food items as trade for all the candy.  

“We will be partnering with Eastside Community Ministry in conjunction with the Muskingum County Hunger Network and we will be collecting nonperishable food items for donations. So we ask that when your coming in to trick-or-treat you bring in those items to the Colony Square Mall table. Again those are nonperishable, current-dated, food items and that will benefit 13 area food pantries as well as four local, hot meal programs,” Brailer said.

Colony Square Mall routinely holds events that support other local businesses and organizations, which promote the betterment of the community. To learn more about the ‘Say BOO to Hunger event you can visit their Facebook page.