You Matter 2 gave Flossmoor-area residents a few good scares this past weekend, and the price of admission was support for a good cause.
The organization’s We Scare Hunger Trail was held the evening of Saturday, Oct. 16, at Flossmoor Community Church. Admission for the haunted attraction was four or more nonperishable food items per person or $5. All proceeds benefit Respond Now of Chicago Heights.
“They really depend on this event to stack their shelves to serve their clients,” said Destiny Watson, founder & CEO of You Matter 2. “I really love haunted houses, so we figured: How can we tie Halloween to hunger? This has been our fun way of doing that.”
The start of the We Scare Hunger Trail immediately followed FCC’s Good Gourd event just across the street at the Flossmoor Community House. You Matter 2 offered family hours from 5-6 p.m., with scarier showings from 7-9 p.m. The event also featured a hot chocolate bar.
This marks the fifth time You Matter 2 has offered the trail to benefit Respond Now, as well as raise awareness for hunger, though the haunted attraction has changed locations. It has averaged roughly 900 canned goods collected each year, Watson said.
On Oct. 16, an ominous red arrow at the corner of Hutchinson Road and Travers Lane pointed people toward the decorated entrance to the church. People descended to a lower level, where they could leave their donations, get hot chocolate and decorate cookies.
From there, they traveled on a haunted elevator to a spooky series of hallways. Along the way, they could enter various rooms decorated with different themes and filled with live actors.
Watson said the logistics of the haunted house can be tough, but it is a lot of fun to see people walking through it.
Though the We Scare Hunger Trail has only been hosted by FCC for the most recent two iterations, Watson is regularly at the church. FCC offered You Matter 2 space for operations there, and meetings are regularly held on-site.
“Over time, they’ve become a great partner,” Watson said. “Anything that we’re doing they’re always willing to support.”
Those who could not make it to the We Scare Hunger Trail but are still looking to help the cause can email [email protected] or visit Youmatter2.org.
You Matter 2 is also carrying out its Study Break on Us initiative until December, with free activities for students in grades 6-12. That includes yoga, an end-of-the-month pumpkin painting and carving program, a baking class, and hot chocolate bombs. A list of spring events is on the way, Watson said. More information can be found on the organization’s website.