Candy Alternatives To Help Those In Need this Halloween

Halloween 2025 is coming up quick. The other things that is also coming up quick is the expiration of SNAP benefits. With those funds unavailable due to the government shutdown many kids, who are nearly half of SNAP recipients, could go hungry.

I think something that I always seem to take for granted is my access to food. I always have something at home even in those moments when I think I don't. I always make sure that my kids have food at home, too. What's the most important thing to note is that I have the means to provide that. Some people may not, and you may not even know it.

How can you help this Halloween in the Capital Region?

You could hand out candy alternatives that can keep a kid fed for longer.

Here are a few of the items you can have as options this Halloween to help a kid who may be hungry.

• Mac & Cheese Cups
• Pretzles/Crackers
• Raman Cups
• Prepackaged pastries
• Protein bars
• Granola Bars
• Prepackaged trail mix

All of these items can be kept for a long time and could mean more than a fun sized piece of candy. No one is telling you not to give out candy, but this gesture could end up meaning more than you know for a family that might be struggling as SNAP benefits are going to expire as of November 1, 2025. The government shutdown will prevent them form getting these necessary things.

With no snap in November many kids will have less access to food.

What I would like to do this year is have both candy and nonperishable items available. I would hope that if I were put into this situations that my neighbors would help me out. No kids should ever have to go hungry.