Wareham Girl Scouts celebrated Halloween a bit early on Saturday, October 27, and they weren't looking for candy.

Troops participated in the fifth annual "Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat" food drive to help residents in need.

"The girls dress up in costume, and they say 'trick or treat so others can eat!' when they get to the door," explained Amy Goodwin, Service Unit Coordinator for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts.

The scouts tell neighborhoods they're coming, and residents gather nonperishable food for the girls to pick up.

"We collect the canned goods and we drop them off at the Onset Fire Department for the Box 5 Association to use with their Christmas food packages," said Goodwin.

Scouts volunteer Kim Cormier recommended the community-service project to the Wareham troops five years ago, and it has taken off.

Whatever Box 5 doesn't use gets donated to one of the town's food pantries. The Girl Scouts have donated to the Church of the Good Shepherd, Council on Aging, and Damien's Place in the past. This year, St. Patrick's Church, where one of the troops meets, will get the donation.

"Wareham Girl Scouts would like to thank all of the Wareham residents who made donations," said Goodwin. "Without them, we would not be able to help others in need."