UCC proudly continued its annual “Lancers Scare Hunger” campaign this Halloween, achieving a record-breaking collection of canned and non-perishable food items for Chatham Outreach for Hunger. Organized by UCC’s CARES Club, this year’s initiative saw approximately 250 dedicated students, parents, and community volunteers covering 61 routes in Chatham, with additional support from groups in Blenheim and Ridgetown.

The UCC Cares team, consisting of 20 students and 9 staff members—including Amelia Vilaranda, Heather Weil, Marilyn Pearson, Deacon Ray Girard, Karen Dudics, Margaret Palmer, Amy Natyshak, Lisa Fisher-Nooyen, and Renée Culverwell—led the planning and coordination efforts. On Halloween night, a team of 12 staff and 2 students helped organize and sort the record number of donations as student volunteers returned from their routes with boxes full of non-perishable items.

Reflecting on the campaign’s impact, UCC Principal Lisa Harnarine shared, “Lancers Scare Hunger is more than just a food drive—it’s a proud UCC tradition that showcases the heart and spirit of our school community. Our students look forward to this event each year, and it’s incredible to see the way our neighbours respond with generosity and support.”

“This record-breaking year demonstrates the power of collaboration and compassion within our schools and communities,” said Scott Johnson, Director of Education. “Our students, staff, and partners have once again shown that together, we can make a profound difference for families in need.”

Special thanks go to Handy Bros for their partnership in transporting the donations to Outreach for Hunger. This record-breaking year of contributions will provide much-needed support to local families during the holiday season, reaffirming UCC’s commitment to serving the Chatham-Kent community.