Over 1300 people filled the parking lot at United Way of the Mid-South on Saturday, October 27th for the Fourth Annual Trunk or Treat on Tillman Street festival. With over 20 trunks hosted by area community partners, organizations and companies, families were able to not only trick-or-treat, but also access helpful resources to improve their quality of life.
Trunk or Treat was sponsored by Valero Energy who donated $10,000 to the event as well as facilitated a STEM activity for kids which included making slime. Bank of America donated 700 bags of candy, and Carrier held sessions on robotics and engineering. Also present was FedEx Job Center, International Paper and the Department of Human Services. Other community partners joined the fun including Neighborhood Christian Center, Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Walgreens, Southern College of Optometry, Junior League of Greater Memphis, Memphis Grizzlies Foundation, The Heights Community Development Corporation, YWCA and Memphis Police Department.
“This is my favorite event of the year because it directly touches our neighbors,” said manager Letitia Robertson, Manager, Community and Corporate Engagement at United Way of the Mid-South. “It’s a chance for our neighbors to get to know us, but moreover for us to get to know them and their needs so we can continue to provide groundbreaking solutions to reducing poverty.”
After moving to the 38112 ZIP code in 2015, United Way wanted to connect with our neighbors. Trunk or Treat was created to provide community resources to families and a safe place for children to trick-or-treat.
“Our current location in The Heights community offers United Way the unique opportunity to impact one of the most under-resourced zip codes in the city. In a community with a poverty rate of 25 percent, two of the biggest challenges are food insecurity and after-school programming. This year, United Way partnered with Lights On Afterschool, an advocacy program promoting afterschool programs for children living in low-income communities, as well as offered free food throughout the event, said Reverend Kenneth S. Robinson, M,D., President and CEO, United Way.