How You Can Help Lawton Families In Need This Halloween

Halloween is tomorrow! And there's no doubt that people will be hitting up Walmart and Target this evening for last-minute candy for trick-or-treating. But with the ongoing government shutdown and SNAP benefits ceasing on November 1, Lawton residents may want to reconsider spending money on Halloween candy, or, at least, diversifying their treats.

Everyone loves Halloween candy. But Lawton residents have a unique opportunity this Friday to help out their neighbors.

Some military families and government employees in Lawton are going without paychecks.

With the ongoing government shutdown, there are several miliary families and family's of civilians that are employed at Fort Sill who are not receiving their paychecks. Therefore, there are several families in the community who are having to choose between bills and putting food on the table.

READ MORE: Photos From the Lawton Food Bank's Special Distribution for Military Families Affected By The Government Shutdown

SNAP benefits will not go out on November 1.

And then there are the families who will lose valuable SNAP benefits on Monday, and then it will become increasingly difficult to provide food for their children.

So, instead of spending money on overpriced Halloween candy, Lawton residents who are able, should consider handing out other types of treats kids love. These treats could be little containers of mac-n-cheese, single-serve bags of cereal, fruit snacks, bags of chips - any food-type treats that children would enjoy.

These items will still be treat for children on Halloween while also benefitting the parents who are worried about providing meals for their family.

READ MORE: United Way of Southwest Oklahoma Hosting Food Drive for Families Without Food Stamps

Different treat ideas to give out this Halloween.

TikToker @garyautumnshub posted a video earlier this week showcasing what's going in the bucket for trick-or-treaters at their house. In the video, they add candy and other snacks to their bucket and they stated, that with SNAP benefits being cut for the month of November, they're worried about the kids in their neighborhood eating.

Last year, @garyautumnshub did hand out items other than candy, like saltines, and they were a hit! So they added candy and saltines again, and other treat-like items, including Chef Boyardee cups, mac-n-cheese cups, oatmeal cups, mashed potato cups, cereal to-go packs, Pop Tarts, Gripz and Oreo snacks. They're also handing out drinks, like Hawaiian Punch and Kool-Aid.

These items are great to have for trick-or-treaters this year!

@garyautumnshub Trick or Treat bucket of snacks for the neighborhood children #halloween #2025 ♬ original sound - GaryAutumnsHusband

Do you give out more than just candy?

What do you give out at your house on Halloween? Let us know your unique treats my messaging us on our official station app!

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