Providence, R.I.--The Providence College Student Congress celebrated Halloween and helped the community at the same time by sponsoring two autumn-themed events to benefit local charities on October 30.

Pumpkinfest, a fall festival featuring a farmer's market, carnival games, food, and live music, was held for the first time. Congress collaborated with the Board of Programmers (BOP) to host the event, which took place on the intramural softball field and was open to the College community and families in the Elmhurst neighborhood. Donations were collected to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

"Pumpkinfest is a new and exciting event for Student Congress, and ideally we would like it to become a long-standing tradition where students and the local community can come together to celebrate the fall," said Andraya Pulaski '10, executive president of Congress.

The annual Trick or Treat for Canned Goods featured members of Congress and other student organizations going door-to-door through the neighborhood collecting donations of nonperishable food items.

"With Trick or Treat for Canned Goods, Congress is able to successfully coordinate student clubs with the surrounding community in order to serve a common good of providing for those in need," said Pulaski.

Between the two events, approximately 550 pounds of food was donated to the food bank.

- Joe Miller '10
-Photo: Kelly Phillips '11

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