On Halloween, as I watched kids in my neighborhood joyfully heading home with bags full of candy, I couldn’t help but think about the stark contrast in our society. Right now, 42 million Americans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food. That’s about 12% of the population.
Reflecting on my own childhood in suburban Cleveland Heights, I remember the thrill of Halloween nights. I used to come home with my big Heinen’s shopping bag, overflowing with treats. After sorting my candy, I had rules: if I wanted a piece during dinner, I had to skip dessert. It was a childhood filled with sweet anticipation—a world away from many kids today who struggle for basic meals.
What if my parents had told me, “Some kids would be thankful for just one hot meal tonight?” That would have been a heavy realization. Once I aged out of trick-or-treating, I started fundraising for UNICEF on Halloween. But the fun of Halloween was never overshadowed by guilt; it felt simple, joyful—a day for costumes and candy.
Today’s trick-or-treaters seem much the same, with laughter and excitement filling the air. I notice differences, though, in how parents approach Halloween. They inspect their kids’ candy closely and opt for homemade costumes, perhaps shaped by a greater concern for safety and health.
This nostalgia for my childhood Halloweens often brings up a concerning question. Should we treat “beggars’ night” as a guilty pleasure? Balancing what we spend on candy and what we donate to charity could help. Spending $30 to $50 on Halloween treats and matching that with a donation to a local food bank seems fair and could make a real difference.
The larger issue, however, is the ongoing food crisis that SNAP highlights. Even if past administrations had acted more compassionately during times of budget cuts, they wouldn’t have solved the deeper issue of hunger. Many adults live with the constant worry of whether they can put food on the table—an all-too-common reality.
According to a recent survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly 10.5% of American households faced food insecurity in 2022, reflecting a significant and ongoing issue. Experts point out that solutions require systemic changes rather than band-aid fixes. Addressing food insecurity calls for long-term commitments from government and community programs, which is a problem we must tackle head-on.
Ultimately, Halloween serves as a reminder of how disparate our experiences can be and pushes us to find ways to bridge that gap. We can enjoy the spooky festivities, but let’s also consider how we can help those who aren’t as fortunate.
For more information on SNAP and food security in America, visit the USDA website.
