Costumed kids and their families gather around a True’s Towing and Recovery truck, which arrived with True employees last year who helped hand out candy during the sixth annual Trunk or Treat at First United Methodist Church. Submitted photo.

For the seventh year, several area churches will offer Trunk or Treat to Dowagiac families looking for a safer alternative to traditional trick or treating.

The event, started by Dowagiac First United Methodist Church in 2006, began as a way for parents to feel more secure in sending their children out to partake in Halloween festivities. Becky Peters, director of outreach ministry for the church, said she and other church parents were nervous of not knowing whose house their children were visiting and what condition the candy would be in when they received it. In the first year, about eight car trunks with candy and four games set up shop in the parking lot of First United Methodist.

“We called other churches and tried to see who else might want to join us,” Peters said Wednesday. “From there, it just kept growing.”

It grew so much that Peters spoke with Dowagiac Police Chief Tom Atkinson about how parking had become hectic and what they could do to keep the event safe and organized.

“We finally decided to make it into four separate locations that families can go to,” Peters said. “Some will only go to one place, some may hop in the car and go to all four, that’s fine.”

Several churches have since joined the annual event, including Second Baptist Church, Michiana Church of Christ, Victory Tabernacle and New Life Faith Baptist Church.

“We know who is handing out the candy, and we get people who call, asking to be a part of it, which is awesome,” Peters said.

Peters said that even some teens who go out of their way to dress in costume often come along.

“If they make the effort, I’ll give them candy,” Peters said. “The point is to keep kids off the streets during Halloween.”

Trunk or Treat will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 with First United Methodist Church kicking off the festivities, located at 326 N. Lowe St., Dowagiac. Children in costumes are invited to attend with parents or guardians. For more information, contact the church at (269) 782-5167.