Pumpkin Smash Bash: Two nonprofits invite families to reduce waste and help the environment
MURRAY, Neb. (KLKN) — Instead of tossing out old Halloween pumpkins, families brought them to Scatter Joy Acres to smash, stomp and send them flying on Saturday.
The nonprofit Conservation Nebraska hosted the pumpkin smash bash in an effort to reduce waste and give back to the environment.
“A lot of pumpkins go into landfills each year instead of decomposing and making healthy soil, so this is a good way to reuse those,” said Rebecca Chandler, the program manager of the AmeriCorps Common Ground Program at Conservation Nebraska.
According to Conservation Nebraska, more than one billion pumpkins are tossed into landfills each year – and this is just a small way of reducing that number.
After smashing their pumpkins, families can take the pieces to feed the 88 animals on the farm, giving them a seasonal sweet treat.
“We are a nonprofit, so a lot of donations and stuff help us feed our animals,” said Julia Brekel, the ranch manager. “So with all of the smashed pumpkins they’re giving us today, we’re going to have some very happy goats, pigs and cows.”
And the best part is the connection it brings between communities.
“I love that it’s two nonprofits helping each other, getting the word out,” Brekel said. “We can send our people down there, their people come to see us. Word of mouth has been great, and hopefully it can grow even more in years to come.”
