#Japan #food drive #Koganei #Koganei City #Halloween Event

Halloween Food Drive in Koganei

The upcoming Halloween Food Drive, co-hosted by multiple organizations including Free the Children Japan, aims to tackle the pressing issue of food waste in Koganei City. This initiative unites local governments, businesses, and community members in a collaborative effort to create a sustainable framework for reducing food waste and providing food support to those in need.

Event Overview

The event will take place on October 25th and 26th from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the JR Chuo Line Higashi-Koganei Station. During this period, the community will engage in fun activities centered around food waste awareness, such as a food drive and quiz rally.

Objective

This initiative aligns with the UN's World Food Day and the national Food Waste Reduction Month established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of the Environment, and the Consumer Affairs Agency. The goal is not only to collect food but to educate participants, especially children, about food issues in an enjoyable way.

The food collected will be distributed to households, welfare facilities, and local organizations within Koganei City, promoting efficient use of local resources and enhancing the community's support network.

Event Activities

The event comprises several exciting activities:

1. Food Drive

A dedicated station will be set up where community members can donate non-perishable food items that they can no longer use. Items donated will be distributed to families and welfare facilities in Koganei City. Donors will receive a certificate of participation as a memento.

Accepted Food Items:

• - Non-perishable items that are unopened and have a shelf life of more than one month, such as:

- Rice
- Canned goods
- Dried food
- Seasonings
- Ready-to-eat meals
- Instant foods
- Beverages (tea, vegetable juice, jelly drinks, etc.)
- Snacks

Note: Alcoholic beverages and frozen foods will not be accepted. Additionally, rice older than two years cannot be collected for quality reasons.

2. Quiz Rally

A fun quiz session will be held at nonowa Higashi-Koganei Station, where participants can learn more about local food issues and community challenges while solving puzzles. Participants will receive commemorative goodies as rewards! Quiz rally participation forms can be picked up at the central ticket gate.

3. Sorting Game

An interactive and entertaining area will teach participants proper waste sorting techniques through games, promoting food resource recycling and resource conservation.

4. Kurukame-kun

Joining the food drive is Kurukame-kun, a local mascot dedicated to promoting recycling and reducing waste in Koganei City. Participants donating food can take photos with Kurukame-kun as a special memory of the event.

Community Collaboration

The Food Drive represents a collective effort to address food waste and foster a culture of support and collaboration among Koganei's residents. The event aims to engage citizens in understanding and combating food loss while enjoying Halloween festivities.

About the Organizers

1. Free The Children Japan
Established in 1999, this nonprofit works both locally and internationally to empower children and youth to engage in social issues through various programs and initiatives, including support for underprivileged communities.
2. Koganei City
Koganei City is committed to achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aims to reduce household food waste by half by 2030. They are actively promoting community collaboration to combat food waste effectively.
3. Koganei Social Welfare Council
This nonprofit organization aims to support a vibrant community through food donations and collaborative efforts with local residents, businesses, and various stakeholders.

In summary, the Halloween Food Drive is not just an event; it is a movement to reduce food waste and promote community cooperation, making Koganei City a better place for all. Join in, donate, and learn more about how we can all contribute to minimizing food waste and supporting our neighbors!

For more details, visit Free The Children Japan and follow the updates on this important community initiative.