What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Halloween? Many of us think about the weather, as it is turning cooler outside or we may think about scary films. Most children, however, think about trick-or-treating and all the candy they will receive.
Trick-or-treating has been a part of Halloween for quite a few years, but it is becoming increasingly complicated in recent years. In part, it is due to some unscrupulous individuals who would want to ruin it but many parents also need to be concerned about kids with food allergies.
If you are a child with a food allergy, going from door-to-door for candy can be challenging. Many of them show off their costumes but they don’t eat the candy they collect.
It is estimated that approximately 15 million people in the United States suffer from food allergies, and one out of 13 children under the age of 18 are affected. Since 2011, there has been a 50% increase in food allergies.
Nobody is sure why food allergies have been on the rise, but some people feel that it may be synthetic additives or gmo foods.
It has gotten so bad that food allergies are causing people to visit the emergency room on an average of one person every three minutes. If you are allergy free, you may not understand this problem but it is more than an inconvenience, it can be life-threatening.
The Teal Pumpkin Project
The Teal pumpkin project is there to spread awareness about food allergies during the Halloween season. Yes, they look fantastic sitting on the porch but they also are there for a different purpose. They let families know that there are nonfood options available for kids with allergies.
Imagine being a young child with food allergies and watching all of your friends enjoy the candy they received. Thanks to this unique project, trick-or-treating can now be fun for everyone.
Here’s how it works:
Take the Pledge
After you are sure you are ready, put the Teal pumpkin outside of your house so that trick-or-treaters and their parents will know you are willing to provide nonfood items. Those items can include stickers, glow sticks and other trinkets.
The pledge reads:
This Halloween, I pledge to show, some extra kindness to the kids I know. I’ll get some non-food treats at the store, like glow sticks, bracelets, stickers and more! I will put my teal pumpkin out on proud display, on my porch, in a window, or on a bale of hay. My teal pumpkin means I support children with food allergies, because all kids deserve to have a safe, happy Halloween.
This is quite a popular project, as you will see in this video:
Since it started in 2014, it has become quite popular. What will you be doing this year?
Via: Wimp
Be sure to share this with your friends on Facebook