Not scared by allergies
<p>A teal-colored pumpkin sits on the porch of a home on Mill Avenue on Thursday. The pumpkin notifies trick-or-treaters they can receive allergen-free treats there.</p>
Ginny Williamson will be giving out more than candy Halloween night — she’ll also be passing out toys for children with food allergies.
“I have Celiac so I know what it’s like not to be able to participate in Halloween and a lot of holidays,” she said.
This year, a teal pumpkin will rest at her doorstep so families know children can get allergen-free treats at her house.
The Teal Pumpkin Project is a nation wide movement started by Food Allergy Research & Education to make Halloween fun and safe for everyone.
According to FARE’s website, one in 13 children in the U.S. has a food allergy. Some food allergies can be deadly and some children have other dietary restrictions, too.
Many candies contain nuts, wheat, soy or dyes that are some of the most common allergens. Also, the FARE website said different sizes of the same candy can have different ingredients. Also, some of the bite-sized candy bars and smaller sizes of candy don’t always have clear ingredient labels.
Williamson said she is inspired by TV star Jennifer Esposito, who also has Celiac. Esposito has a bakery that makes gluten- and dairy-free goods.
When Williamson saw the Teal Pumpkin Project on a Celiac blog, she decided this was her way to help.
So, instead of handing out only candy, Williamson will also be handing out necklaces, skeletons, rings and other non-edible treats from a separate bowl. Other non-allergen treats could be glow sticks, bubbles, Slinkies, playing cards and stickers.
Williamson said she bought a fake, teal pumpkin so she can use it again for years to come, but people can paint real pumpkins, too. Teal pumpkins are available at some local craft stores.
This year, Williamson bought the toys she’ll be passing out from a link on FARE’s website.
“For next year, I’m going to start collecting things from the dollar store every time I go,” she said.
On FARE’s website, www.foodallergy.org/teal-pumpkin-project, there is a map where people can mark their house if they plan on giving out non-allergen treats, so families can know where to go.
Currently, there are three places marked in the Coeur d’Alene area and one near Stateline. There are many in Spokane.
“I put my house on the map and advertised it on Facebook,” Williamson said. “I just wish more people would do it.”