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Teal Pumpkin Project helps kids with food allergies on Halloween

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – There is an effort in central Indiana and across the country to make trick-or-treating more inclusive for kids with food allergies.

It is called the Teal Pumpkin Project.

People are placing teal pumpkins outside their home as a signal that they have things like stickers and glow sticks to hand out as an alternative to candy on Halloween.

Susan Melenchuk is a parent of two children with food allergies. She says this project helps make the Halloween more enjoyable for children with allergies.

“When we were first dealing with this it was a little bit of a nightmare for me just trying to navigate her having the experience of being able to go out and trick or treat like her peers, but keeping her safe at the same time,” said Melenchuk.

Once she heard about the project she traded in the carving knives for paint.

Melenchuk has teal pumpkins outside her home and has bubbles, stickers, erasers and other small toys for kids on Halloween.

“Just trying to make sure that they have an enjoyable experience and feel included in Halloween,” said Melenchuk.

If you want to see a list of homes that are participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project you can find one here.