FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jessica Sund
Director of Development and Communications
507-424-1729
[email protected]
October 23, 2023
ROCHESTER, Minnesota—With Halloween coming up, the annual Boyer Halloween display is planning for more inflatables than ever before and monetary donations going to Channel One Regional Food Bank starting Friday.
Mike and Christy Boyer and family have been decorating for Halloween for more than 10 years and the last five on the grand scale the public now travels miles to see. The inspiration came from their three-month-old son, Isaac, who passed away from sudden infant death syndrome.
“His birthday was around Halloween, and we thought this was a memorable way to keep his memory alive,” said Christy Boyer. “While we have been fortunate to not need Channel One’s services, I used to work as a social worker and saw how important food and nutrition was to others. We started it as something fun and, with my oldest son’s suggestion, started collecting donations to make it even more meaningful. Nothing makes us happier than knowing we are creating memories for kids, especially, and their families.”
Since 2020, when monetary donations began being collected, the Boyers have raised $10,812 for Channel One and its hunger relief programs that help fight food insecurity in 14 counties.
“This is such a fun way to engage the community and raise awareness, and we are so appreciative of the public’s and the Boyer’s generosity,” said Virginia Witherspoon Merritt, Channel One Regional Food Bank executive director. “With the recent increase in household visits to the food shelf—6,737 in September—this effort is more important than ever to ensure Channel One meets the need for food for our neighbors.”
While attending Boyer Halloween is free, people may make a monetary donation onsite with cash or a check made out directly to Channel One Regional Food Bank. New this year will be the option to contribute through Zelle or Venmo.
The Boyers are planning for more than 150 Halloween inflatables—in 2022, the number was 141 inflatables—and a walk-through tunnel with four spooky scenes, lights, fog, and music.
The Boyer Halloween display will be open from 6 to 10 p.m. daily through Wednesday, November 1, weather permitting, at 5348 51st St NW, Rochester, MN 55901. While people will be able to view the display beforehand, it will be fully complete by Friday, October 27.
Follow Boyer Halloween’s Facebook page for updates.
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About Channel One Regional Food Bank
Channel One Regional Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, strengthens food access and builds healthy communities. Channel One operates food programs to serve local and area needs such as: a food bank, a food shelf, mobile pantries, Childhood Hunger Programs, Kitchen Coalition and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Channel One Regional Food Bank mobilizes organizations, volunteers, and donors to serve the network of over 160 nonprofit programs that provide food for children, adults, and families in need. Channel One serves 14 counties across southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. For more information, call 507.287.2350 or visit helpingfeedpeople.org.
