Trick-or-treating doesn’t have to mean greedy children begging for candy.

Members of Lambda Sigma, a sophomore honor society, practiced the time-honored Halloween tradition by collecting canned goods and other non-perishables from DeKalb residents Wednesday night.

All food collected is being donated to Hope Haven, a homeless shelter in DeKalb.

About 30 members of Lambda Sigma met at the Campus Life Building at about 7 p.m. and split into groups to cover as much ground as possible. Expectations were high as the parties left in various cars destined for different DeKalb neighborhoods.

“This should be fun,” art education major Rachel Aberle said.

Walking from house to house, the trick-or-treaters were jovial. Many dressed in costumes, or at least sported face paint, as they carried the bags intended to be filled with non-perishable foods.

The groups encountered the usual problems of going door to door, such as people not answering their doors.

Pre-elementary education major Brooke Borchers, dressed in a cat costume, said the reception was generally good.

“We’ve gotten beans, corn, all kinds of good stuff,” she said.

“We even got evaporated milk, and it’s in a can.”

Trick-or-treating for food seems to be a popular service activity around Halloween. The Latter Day Saint Student Association also will be going door to door to collect canned goods tonight.

Aberle said that trick-or-treating for charity is an annual event for Lambda Sigma.

Each member is required to contribute at least 15 service hours to the community each year.

Undeclared business major Mike Leavitt said Lambda Sigma contacted Hope Haven to organize this service opportunity.

“Sometimes organizations contact us because of our service record. This time we talked to them,” he said. “Hope Haven will distribute the food to needy people. I think we’re also helping them out with a meal in a week or so.”