If you think you’re too old to go house-to-house for candy this year, try something different.
For the sixth consecutive year English professor Tom Ulch will be organizing a canned food drive along with his right-hand man, Math professor Paul Horvath. Ulch and Horvath offer extra credit to current students participating in the canned food drive on the night of Halloween.
The only stipulation is, students who participate must dress up. Ulch said it doesn’t matter if you want to dress as a football player, buy a costume or do what Ulch does every year, and wear the uniform from when he was in the army.
The food collected goes to the SOS Community Center and the Safe House. Last year the group collected over 4,000 non-perishible items.
“This is for a good cause, and takes four hours to feed over 4,000 people,” Ulch said. “The feeling that you get after is amazing. I know the good and bad areas of Ypsilanti, and nobody is ever alone. We go in groups no smaller than four, and take cars, preferably SUVs, to transport the food.”
People coming are encouraged to bring boxes for sorting through the food after the night is over.
Quentin Turner, a senior biology major, heard about the event from Ulch, and says he has not attended previous years.
When asked why he wanted to get involved, he said, “I am a strong believer in community service and helping those who cannot necessarily help themselves. This is just another opportunity to give back to the Ypsilanti community and bring some joy to the lives of others.”
Turner wouldn’t divulge what he would be wearing to the event, so this might be an interesting surprise.
Gina Worful, a fourth-year dietetics major, who is also a previous student of Ulch’s, was invited through Facebook. She had heard about it last year, and really wanted to go, but unfortunately could not make it. She is very excited that this will be her first year at the drive.
Worful said she is attending because, “I really want to get more involved on campus. I get so busy with school that I haven’t had the opportunity to get more experience outside of the books. I have worked with SOS in the past so I really like what they do for the community and would love to help out. I think it is great that Tom puts this together every year. His fun spirit and passion is very infectious so I am excited to get involved.”
Tiffany Gibson, a sophomore social work major, attended last year with her friend. Gibson was a cloud while her best friend was a rainbow. They are both attending this year, but Gibson will be dressed as a bumble bee this year. She is attending because she thinks it is a wonderful cause.
The canned food drive is on Halloween night. Participants meet up at the Kiosk near Pray-Harrold at 5:30 p.m. Ulch will form groups, give out maps and then send the groups out at about 6:30 p.m. The groups wrap up around 9 p.m., and meet up at Tower Inn for pizza and a beer (only if your 21 ).
