A two ton trick-or-treat

By Editor | November 1, 2023 |

By Cory Davenport

Nearly two tons of candy were brought to First Assembly of God’s annual Trunk or Treat event Tuesday evening, and 90 percent of it went home in children’s bags.

Pastor Adam Smith said the event at the church, located at 500 Cross Ave. in Jerseyville, was designed to ensure kids from Jersey, Greene, and Calhoun Counties had a safe alternative for going door-to-door trick-or-treating, and have somewhere insulated from the cold Halloween weather. Booths were arranged for kids to get candy from each. Nachos and refreshments were also provided by the church. Smith said it was impossible for him to get a head count on the event, but estimated as many as 2,000 kids and potentially 3,500 people were in attendance.

The massive amount of candy was sold to the church at a mere fraction of its value by Michigan-based Hope & Encouragement for Humanity. Smith said the cost was to help cover shipping and delivery of the massive amount of candy. After the event, Smith estimates the church still has 300-400 lbs of candy from the event.

“We’re gonna eat it all,” Smith joked when asked about the candy’s future, “I’m kidding. We’re going to probably give it to the schools or some other outreach. We’re trying to figure out what to do with what’s left. We weren’t sure how much would be left.”

When asked why the church pulled out all the stops to facilitate such a distribution of candy to area children, Smith’s answer was simple: to continue their mission to spread the love of Jesus to the communities they serve.

“We are the hands and feet of Jesus in our community,” Smith said.

Outside of this massive trunk or treat undertaking, he said the church he serves also carries that mission through a large spring-time endeavor for the Easter season. Members of the church join Smith for a mission through Jerseyville to accomplish projects needing done. They will work together for beautification projects and fixing the properties of people in need – especially the elderly.

“Our goal is to show the love of Jesus to our community, especially the people of Jersey, Calhoun, and Greene Counties,” Smith said. “We want to show them a living demonstration of the Gospel. We do it together as a church. We get people to know the love of Jesus and lead them to finding him and learning from his word.”