Hundreds of Families Get an Early Start on Halloween at Free Trunk-or-Treat in Southwest Bakersfield

Halloween is still a few days off, but hundreds of people in southwest Bakersfield did not wait for the holiday. Families gathered Sunday for a Trunk-or-Treat event hosted by Clinica Sierra Vista, and the line of visitors wound its way around the parking lot.

The event offered plenty of seasonal cheer. Children and adults showed up in creative costumes, and volunteers decorated their trunks and filled them with candy for the crowd.

For grandmother Jamie Lujan, the biggest draw was that it cost nothing to attend. She said being able to bring the whole family without worrying about expenses made a real difference. "It's most definitely a help out when you get to bring the whole family and not worry about what the amount is or if we're going to be able to stay or if they're gonna want something that we can't get them," Lujan said.

The afternoon was about more than treats. Community organizations also took part, using the gathering to link families with resources and services available across Kern County.

Hannah Weightman of Community Action Partnership of Kern was among the participants. She decorated her trunk with a Hocus Pocus theme and said the event gave her a chance to talk with residents directly. "I love being able to communicate with the community and show them that what services we have available because a lot of people they don't know what services are available to them," Weightman said.

Clinica Sierra Vista, which is marking its 55th anniversary, organized the event. CEO Dr. Olga Meave said the organization saw it as a way to give back at a time when many families are under financial strain.

"I think you know the situation is not easy for anybody so when we have an opportunity to provide something free for the community. We take it," Meave said.