Brandon couple Carla Mitchell and Mike Mitchell are using the thrills and scares of Halloween to raise food for Samaritan House Ministries Inc.
Since 2021, the pair have transformed their home into a haunted attraction called ‘Cedar Hollow Scare Away Hunger,’ located along Cedar Bay.
“We like to do something to raise food for the community and bring something that people enjoy, which brings the community together,” said Carla.
Carla and Mike have plenty of experience creating Halloween displays, having previously transformed their former home in Regina. However, the decision to connect the annual tradition with food insecurity was inspired by the impact of COVID-19.
“We both work in health care, and as a social worker, I’m very aware that food insecurity is a major and growing issue in a city like Brandon. In 2020, especially during COVID-19, we knew there was a growing need for food assistance and that many people were struggling to access food.”
Carla says 100 food hampers are distributed daily in Brandon, while 60,000 Manitobans accessed food banks across the province each month in 2025.
The growing figures are displayed on a tombstone on the couple’s front lawn, serving as a reminder of the ongoing challenges people face and the need to raise their fundraising goal.
“We wanted to beat last year’s goal of 3,000 food bank items. As we head into our busiest weekend, we’re already sitting at just over 2,000 items.”
With warmer temperatures expected on the weekend, Carla is confident they can smash their target.
For those attending the haunted house, she recommended bringing food items for admission.
“Canned goods, such as soups and stews, are always helpful. There’s also a significant need for protein-rich products, including canned ham and tuna. Whole-wheat pasta provides added energy, while shelf-stable milk products and smaller items for children are also appreciated.”
Reaching the 3,000-item goal would help provide the food bank with enough supplies to prepare hampers for approximately two weeks, said Carla.
The pair plans to continue hosting Cedar Hollow Scare Away Hunger for years to come. Their children have also expressed interest in taking over the haunted house once their parents are finished.
“They’re part of the scare team and absolutely love hearing people scream. At the end of each night, they laugh about who they scared the most. It’s very much a family effort, and they’re a big part of it,” said Carla.
A schedule for Cedar Hollow Scare Away Hunger can be found here.
