No Tricks, Just Treats: As Tariffs and SNAP Cuts Make Halloween More Expensive, Empire State Voices Hosts Halloween Food and Candy Drive to Make Sure Hudson Valley Kids Can Celebrate the Season
TARRYTOWN, NY — Today, Empire State Voices swapped tricks for treats during a Halloween Candy drive at the Tarrytown Community Opportunity Center, a sweet effort to ease the financial burden so many Hudson Valley families are feeling right now.
During the event, community leaders collected and passed out Halloween candy and food donations, and Empire State Voices and partner organizations donated over $500 worth of food and candy to the Tarrytown Community Opportunity Center.
This Halloween, price increases are the scariest part of the season.
Candy prices are up 10.8% compared to last year:
Tootsie Roll lollipops cost almost 34% more this season.
Variety packs of Hershey’s, KitKats, Twizzlers, and Reeses are up 22%.
Variety packs from Milky Way, M&Ms, Three Musketeers, and Skittles are up 12%.
The cost of seasonal decorations and costumes, which are made in China, are up 85%.
The economic burden New York families are feeling is a direct result of costly tariffs that are making everything more expensive and the Republican Tax Law, which made significant funding cuts to the SNAP program. As a result, Hudson Valley families have spent $6,000+ more on goods and services since 2025, and the number of New Yorkers receiving SNAP benefits has dropped by over 270,000, or almost 10%, since July of 2025. Congressman Mike Lawler supported the Republican Tax Law and repeatedly rejected Congressional efforts to curb tariffs.
“Here in Tarrytown, we’ve seen a large uptick in clients' needs with the reduced SNAP funding. This has put us and other food pantries in the area in a terrible position and in need of more food donations. It is extremely important we see donations during this crisis,” said Doris, from the Tarrytown Community Opportunity Center.
“Growing up, Halloween was all about dressing up, trick-or-treating, and trading candy with your friends. But because of policies that Republicans in Washington, including Rep. Lawler, have supported, Hudson Valley kids aren’t getting the same experience we once had,” said Dylan Wheeler, Empire State Voices Senior Organizing Director. “With this supply drive, we are hoping to ease some of the burden parents are feeling, and make sure this special tradition can go on.”
To learn more about upcoming events or speak with impacted New Yorkers, please contact press@empirestatevoices.org.
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Empire State Voices is a multi-year campaign dedicated to amplifying the voices of everyday working New Yorkers. We are fighting for economic policies that make life more affordable for constituents and holding members of Congress across the state accountable when they fail to do the same. To learn more about Empire State Voices, contact press@empirestatevoices.org
