Happy Halloween! This week marks the spookiest time of the year, when ghosts and goblins walk among us and vampires search for their next victim… hypothetically of course. Halloween is one of the most creative and fun-filled holidays of the whole year, so why not get creative in how you celebrate it?

While we’re out enjoying Halloween, there are families and people in need of support in your community. If you’re interested in living a more altruistic lifestyle and helping those in need this Halloween, check out these five spooky ways you can give back.

1. Buy your costume from a nonprofit.
   If you’re looking to save money and give back to a cause this Halloween, consider buying your Halloween costume from a local nonprofit. Some organizations, such as The Salvation Army or Goodwill Industries, are nationally known and have a huge variety of costumes to choose from or create. Others are smaller and more locally known. Whichever you pick, your costume can help support others, so they enjoy their Halloween just as much.
    
2. Trick-or-treat for a cause.
   Help your children get involved in the action by showing them how to trick-or-treat for a cause. For example, since 1950, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF has helped raise over $144 million for children. You can participate in a national trick-or-treat fundraiser, or even see if local nonprofits in your area have any events going on. You’re already planning on going trick-or-treating, so you may as well have fun while raising money for a cause at the same time!
    
3. Donate leftover candy.
   If you’re concerned about your post-Halloween waistline, consider donating leftover candy to both national and local nonprofit organizations. The Ronald McDonald House takes candy donations to give to families in their programs; others, such as Operation Shoebox, sends leftover candy overseas to those serving in the military. You can even check with nonprofits in your community to see if they’re needing any candy to give to clients or families in need.
    
4. Give old costumes.
   Once Halloween is over, don’t let that old costume take up valuable closet space. Why not give it to someone else? Several nonprofits and shelters will take clean and gently-used Halloween costumes in order to provide them to children of families who couldn’t otherwise afford them. So once you’re done scaring people, try giving back by letting someone else use your old costume next year.
    
5. Volunteer at a trick-or-treat alternative.
   Many community programs and local schools will offer Halloween trick-or-treat alternatives to provide a safe environment for children to have fun in. These programs are mostly run on a volunteer basis by individuals who can distribute goods and candy in a more controlled setting. Check in your community to see if anything nearby you is hosting a trick-or-treat alternative event, and see how you can get involved to help make a difference.

This Halloween, do more than just trick-or-treat; live altruistically and give back to those in need. Try out some of these fun alternative celebration ideas for you and your family to have a fun and spooky Halloween.