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Some Trick-Or-Treaters Scared Away Hunger With Canned Food This Halloween

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) Some trick-or-treaters were hunting for more than just candy on Friday.

Students across the state collected canned food for We Scare Hunger. It's one way to earn a ticket to We Day at the Xcel Energy Center.

Students at Groves Academy set a goal to collect 1,000 pounds of canned food for We Scare Hunger.

"I didn't think we were going to raise all 1,000 pounds of food," said Ezra, a student at Groves Academy. "But we did very, very well."

A final weigh-in put their total at 1,086 pounds.

"It makes me feel great," said Mariah, a student at Gr0ves. "We can help other people that aren't as fortunate as us to have food on their table."

In 2013, the school brought in around 300 pounds of food. For 2014, they stepped up their game.

"It was fun going around to the different divisions and telling them about it," Ezra said.

"We stapled the poster with 'We Scare Hunger' on trash bags," said Mariah. "Then they went around and picked up all the bags while they were trick or treating."

The students said many families had food already waiting for them at the door.

Some even spent money they had earned from jobs this summer.

"I also did go to Cub Foods and just bought some canned food with my own money," Ezra said.

"I think so many of the kids were really passionate about it this year," said Michelle Jonas, a counselor with Groves Academy. "Of course, it worked out well because We Day was after We Scare Hunger this year."

All students involved with We Scare Hunger earned their ticket to We Day Minnesota.

"That's not really why I participated," said Ezra. "In some neighborhoods there are people who don't get the nourishment they need, so we decided to raise food to give to them."

"It was a good learning experience for the kids," said Jonas, "and a good reminder for all of us that there are lots of people here in Minnesota that need this food."

All of the collected food will be donated to local food banks.

We Day Minnesota is an all-day celebration featuring speakers and concerts. It will be held Nov. 12, 2014. Magic Johnson, The Band Perry and Martin Sheen are among the performers expected to attend.

Students can't buy a ticket, but they can earn one through service events like We Scare Hunger.

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