Angelo: It’s a little baggie, uh, I don’t know, probably like, 4 inches by 1 inch—by 2 inches maybe. And just stuffed to the brim with tiny, little fun-sized candies. Like the Tootsie Rolls and the little Snickers and the Jolly Ranchers, and everything just shoved in there. And there’s a ton of volunteers behind the scenes of ATC, and I don’t really get to see them as an outreach volunteer, ‘cause I come in after they’ve done their job. But from what’s been described to me as a workshop of volunteers just shoving candies into these little bags.
Abby: There’s an “anchor candy,” and there’s a strategy too.
Angelo: And trying to—because it has a little Ziplock top—and attempting to zip the little Ziplock top up so that it doesn’t explode. Because that’s another thing—when we’re packing bags, if there’s an exploded candy pack in there, that throws the whole thing off. And then you’re—you know somebody was little overzealous with the candy pack.
Abby: Exactly, if the label’s facing out so you can see what candies are there. There’s a whole—like shout-out to the volunteers that make those candy packs and shout out to the volunteers that donate all the candy during Halloween.
The candy pack is, I mean, we all have a ton—we give out hygiene supplies: shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, first aid supplies, razors; and harm-reduction supplies: condoms, lube, granola bars, gummies. But there’s something about that candy pack stuffed to the brim that for a lot of people is just like a treat.
Angelo: Yeah.
Abby: And some people don’t like candy, that’s like, and people have asked for healthier snacks too. People want—sometimes we’ve brought out almonds before, people like that. But candy is just—there’s something about it—it’s like, “Hey, we’re outreach, we have free candy.” And they’re like, “What?” And it’s not just like, you know, a little, Werther’s Original thing…[Laughing]
Angelo: It’s a good conversation starter, and it’s a good way—because you go up to somebody and be like, “Oh, do you need first aid kits, do you need antibiotic ointment, do you need condoms, do you need?” And a lot of people will be taken aback, maybe, because it’s like, “Why do you think I need that?”
Abby: Yeah.
Angelo: Whereas, it’s like “Hey, you want some free candy?” You know, and yeah, they tell us not to take candy from strangers but honestly, ATC is like the “backpack people” or also the “candy-pack people.” ‘Cause they’ll see us coming down, it’s like “Hey, it’s the candy people!” ‘Cause you know, to some people, that’s the one thing that they get every time. And that’s all they want and that’s fine. Like we said.
