It’s Halloween and most kids are excited about trick or treating, but for families with food allergies, the night can be very stressful.
So, a national project is hoping to make the holiday fun and inclusive for everyone.
It's called the Teal Pumpkin Project (#TealPumpkinProject).
“Families like ours, when they see the teal pumpkin, they know for sure to go to that house because there's for sure gonna be something safe at that house for our kids who have food allergies," says Erin Hess whose two sons both have severe food allergies.
She’s not alone - one in every 13 children in the U.S. – or two in every classroom - are affected.
Juana Reynoza-Gomez has twin boys with allergies, one more sensitive than the other; "This is life-or-death. This is if my son consumes a peanut M&M he could stop breathing."
But kids still want to trick or treat! So, a teal colored pumpkin near the house or a flyer in the window says your home is offering a non-food treat - like a tiny toy, stickers or a glow stick.
Dad Aaron Hess has explained it to his two boys; “The older one just loves that he's getting something that's safe for him.”
Aaron and Erin Hess spear-headed the local effort on the Teal Pumpkin Project three years ago. Since then, they've painted and given out hundreds of blue-green pumpkins.
The family lives in Wingfield Springs. “A lot of people on our street participate. We went out, let them know what we're doing - and everyone just open arms, said 'yes, we wanna be part of that.'”
As a matter of fact, homeowners on Matter Drive in their Wingfield neighborhood in Sparks - are inviting all kids with food allergies to trick-or-treat there.
For Reynoza-Gomez, seeing the teal pumpkins shows her awareness is growing. “I think that's the only way we can go about creating sensitivity and empathy. I'm not asking for sympathy, but empathy and inclusiveness.”
“It's just gonna make the whole Halloween night more magical for a lot of kids who have a lot of food restrictions and allergies," says mom Erin with relief and joy.
For more on places you can pick up a teal pumpkin, how to print out a flyer or ideas on non-food items that are safe to give out -http://www.foodallergy.org/teal-pumpkin-project/download
