Lansing churches plan Halloween Trunk-or-Treat events

by Jennifer Yos

LANSING, Ill. (October 4, 2018) – As children throughout Lansing excitedly decide and share what their Halloween costumes will be this year, and adults plan front yard pumpkin and cornstalk displays, several Lansing churches are busy planning their own special Halloween festivities, popularly known as Halloween Trunk-or-Treats.

A Trunk-or-Treat is a parking lot event in which adults decorate the trunks of their vehicles in various themes and pass out candy to costumed trunk-or-treaters. Many parents consider Trunk-or-Treating to be a safer alternative to the traditional house-to-house Trick-or-Treating, and churches welcome the opportunity to greet their community members.

The following Lansing churches are planning Trunk-or-Treat events this year that are open to the public. Listings are organized by date as some events are before and some are on Halloween.

Monday, October 22: Trinity Lutheran Church

Trinity Lutheran Church will be hosting a Trunk-or-Treat event in conjunction with the free community meal they offer each month.
Where: Trinity Lutheran Church parking lot, 2505 Indiana Avenue.
When: Monday, October 22, 5:00pm
Planned activities:

• Trunk-or-Treating (Members of our church will have decorated trunks on site)
• Prize for “Best Costume”
• Free monthly community meal

Saturday, October 27: St. John Lutheran Church

St. John’s Church offers “Trunks of Treats” as a safe and friendly opportunity for Lansing children community to have a chance to dress up and have fun.
Where: St. John’s School parking lot, 18100 Wentworth Avenue
When: Saturday, October 27, 5:00–6:30pm
Details: People who are interested in Trunk Decorating should call 708-895-9240 to let the church know they will be participating. Participants need to arrive by 4:30pm to decorate and should bring their own candy supplies.

Saturday, October 27: St. Ann’s Catholic Church (at TF South)

St. Ann’s will host the 9th Annual Halloween Pancake Breakfast at TF South on Saturday, October 27, before the Lansing Halloween Parade. Kids are encouraged to come to the pancake breakfast in costume. TF South is located at 18500 Burnham Avenue in Lansing.

Sunday, October 28: St. Ann’s Church

St. Ann’s Home & School Association is planning their third free Trunk-or-Treat experience for kids, and a treat-giving opportunity for families in a safe and secure Halloween environment.
Where: St. Ann parking lot, 3014 Ridge Road
When: Sunday, October 28, 2:00–4:00pm
Details: People who are interested in Trunk Decorating should visit the sign-up link and register by Friday, October 26, so event organizers can plot the parking lot for the best experience:

• St. Ann’s Trunk-or-Treat sign-up

Trunk decorators should bring enough candy for 100, and St. Ann’s will have extra on hand to supplement if anyone runs out. Prizes will be awarded for Best Trunk and Best Costume. Refreshments will be available, and a DJ and games will help create a party atmosphere. For more information, contact Max Navia at 773-619-1251.

Sunday, October 28: Living Word Church

Living Word Church considers Halloween a good opportunity to meet the neighbors! 2018 will be the second year they host a Trunk-or-Treat.
Where: 2248 186th Street
When: Sunday, October 28, 2:00–4:00pm
Details: Anyone who attends Living Word Church may enter a decorated trunk or volunteer to run one of the Trunk-or-Treat carnival games. Parking spaces will be assigned on the day of the event. Each vehicle will get two parking spaces unless otherwise requested in advance. Vehicles will be moved into place, and decorating will begin at noon on Sunday, October 28. All cars must be on site by 1:00pm and decorated by 1:45pm. Every visitor will receive a ballot, and a cash prize will be awarded for best trunk, by popular vote. Carnival games appropriate for ages 2–10 will be set up in the building.
Note from Living Word: “Due to a life-threatening allergy within our church, we cannot allow the use of any fresh mums (flowers) in decorating. We also prefer that decorations are not too scary for young children.”

Wednesday, October 31: Bethel Church

This is the first year Bethel will be offering a Trunk-or-Treat event, and they welcome any trick-or-treaters to stop by—
Where: Bethel Church east parking lot, 3500 Glenwood-Lansing Road
When: Wednesday, October 31, 4:00–6:00pm
Details: Bethel members will provide the decorated trunks, and community members should provide the Trunk-or-Treaters.

Wednesday, October 31: First Church (PCA)

First Church PCA will host Indoor Trunk-or-Treat on Halloween, as they have for the past five years. Church members say, “We hope the Lansing community will visit us again, as well as those in neighboring communities, so that we can continue becoming acquainted with each other. So many in Lansing know our church as the big red brick building on the corner of Ridge Road and Burnham Avenue, next to the cemetery. We want the community to know that within that building is a vibrant congregation of believers who worship God and strive to love and serve each other and the community.”
Where: 3134 Ridge Road, the corner of Ridge and Burnham (Enter through the covered north doorway on the backside of the church.)
When: Wednesday, October 31, 4:00–7:00pm
Planned activities: Church members will decorate tables for indoor trunk-or-treating (to avoid possible inclement weather) and will pass out candy inside the church in the fellowship area. There will also be two free drawings for gift cards from local businesses.

Wednesday, October 31: Grace Church

Grace Church is once again offering a fun, safe alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating as a way of expressing love to the community.
Where: Grace Church parking lot, 2740 Indiana Avenue (next to the Lansing Public Library)
When: Wednesday, October 31, 6:00–8:00pm
Planned activities:

• Trunk-or-Treating
• Free hot dogs, lemonade, and hot chocolate served outdoors
• Three Halloween-themed black light puppet shows with gospel messages presented indoors in the darkened church sanctuary; trivia questions follow with candy prizes
• Nine games set up in the Fellowship Hall with candy prizes

Anyone interested in Trunk Decorating should contact Bill VanRamshorst: 708-822-9865. Trunk set-up is from 5:30–6:00pm in the reserved middle parking spots. Please keep decorations appropriate for children (no gore). “Best Trunk” will be awarded a bag of candy.

Wednesday, October 31: Lighthouse Community Church

Lighthouse Community Church has been hosting Trunk-or-Treat for 10 years as an outreach to the community. This year they ask participants to bring a jar of peanut butter—yes, peanut butter—to benefit the Northwest Indiana and Northern Illinois food banks. The church explains, “By eliminating the food banks’ peanut butter budget, thousands of additional families will be able to receive assistance.” Lighthouse is a drop-off location for the peanut butter, and their goal is 250 jars.
Where: 17500 Lighthouse Lane (Google address is 2190 176th Place.) Look for the sign two blocks west of Torrence Avenue on 176th Place.
When: Wednesday, October 31, 4:00–7:00pm
Planned activities:

• Trunk-or-Treating
• Food
• Small games
• Costume contest
• Collecting donated jars of peanut butter for local food banks

Interested in Trunk Decorating? It’s open to all. Parking spots will be assigned on the day of the event, and on-site decorating begins at 3:00pm. No spooky trunks. All candy should be wrapped and store-bought. The first-place trunk will win a $25 Walmart gift card. Second- and third-place trunks will win $15 Walmart gift cards.