Archived photo: West Philly Local

Much like candy, pumpkin prices have also risen significantly in recent years. Fortunately, help is on the way for local families looking to celebrate Halloween.

Philadelphia-based food rescue nonprofit Sharing Excess is receiving donated pumpkins from several regional farms that otherwise would have gone unsold and been tilled back into the soil, and expects to distribute over 4,000 pounds of pumpkins to local families just in time for the holiday.

This Wednesday and Thursday, Sharing Excess will host pumpkin-giveaway pop-ups in West Philly:

• Wednesday, Oct. 28 (3 – 4:30 p.m.): Clark Park (43rd St. and Chester Ave.)
• Thursday, Oct. 29 (3 – 4:30 p.m.): Carroll Park (60th St. and West Girard Ave.)

If you can’t make it to any of these local events, a large pumpkin giveaway will take place on Friday, Oct. 30 at the Church of the Holy Trinity (1904 Walnut St.), beginning at 2 p.m. through after-school hours.

Whether you’re looking to carve a jack-o’-lantern or decorate your porch, swing by one of the local pop-ups to grab yours for free while supplies last. (The pumpkins are available to anyone who stops by the pop-ups).