For several years now, Faith Church, 2124 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, has held an annual Trunk or Treat. Heather Leicy, one of the organizers of the fall event, said that this year, the celebration will transform into a fall carnival with a focus on families. "We are changing it up slightly," reported Leicy. "We wanted to make it more family (oriented) fun."

The first Fall Fest will be held at the church on Sunday, Sept. 25, from 2 to 5 p.m. Among the many activities will be food, games for both children and adults, and a chance to learn about local community organizations.

Planned food items include pizza and pasta. The church will partner with Blessings of Hope, an organization that stores and redistributes food that would otherwise have been wasted.

"There will be a bunch of games," said Leicy, listing a pie-eating contest, a sack race, a three-legged race, and an egg and spoon race. "There will be fun events that kids and adults can sign up for," she said, adding that a hayride, checkers, pumpkin painting, fall-themed stick-on tattoos, and more are planned.

Local organizations that will have a presence at the event include Homes of Hope; Blessings of Hope; Love Life, a life-affirming organization; SEEDS, a new program led by Faith Church members that aims to help low-income families and school students; and Stroopies, a cookie maker that according to its website exists to "provide meaningful employment to resettled refugee women in Lancaster." Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services (CVCCS) will be on-site to organize a game for children and pass out literature. Leicy noted that the church will collect canned goods for CVCCS at the event. Jon Barrett, CVCCS executive director, said that currently, the CVCCS food pantry is in need of cereal, oatmeal, crackers, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, juice, snacks, and snack bars.

Readers who have questions about the event may call the church at 717-393-5345.