Local thespians trick or treat for non-perishable foods
San Jacinto News- Times - October 2009

SHEPHERD – Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat is a community service project that is about to kick into motion again. For years the Theater Arts Department and Thespian Troupe 6059 of Shepherd High School have been dressing up and ringing doorbells. Only this group of civic minded teens isn’t out for candy for their own gratifi cation. Instead, these kids go trick or treating every year for canned goods and other non-perishable food items to help support the Helping Hands Food Pantry, a non-profi t group that does so much good in the Shepherd area. Helping Hands provides groceries to families in need and is one of the organizations that the International Thespian Society (ITS) has adopted. ITS is an honors organization for high school theatre students and there are chapters in high schools all over the world. It is an organization that is independent of any other organization in the high school, working hard to raise civic awareness and promote the arts in Shepherd. Each year they take on several community service projects and this one is their crown jewel. Last year Troupe 6059 collected over 500 pounds of food, all donated to Helping Hands. Shepherd High School Troupe 6059 is celebrating their 10th anniversary as a chartered organization this year and they would like to celebrate by collecting a record amount of food. During this economic downturn more and more families have hit hard times and so the need has grown even greater countywide. These teenagers will be knocking on your doors again this Oct. 31, so be expecting them and have a bundle ready. You can also put non-perishable donations in a designated box at McClain’s Market and they will pick them up and deliver them. If every door they knock on donates even one can, it can make a big difference. This group believes the motto that helping others is the best way to help oneself.