October 14 to 20 is National Food Bank Week. However, this is something to think about and understand at all times--hunger is not a third world phenomenon; there is hunger in the United States.

Monthly Events

Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month. Oct. 1–31. To promote the adoption of dogs from local shelters, the ASPCA sponsors the observance. For more information, browse www.aspca.org.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Oct. 1–31. To raise awareness of efforts and end violence against women and their children. For more information, browse www.ncadv.org.

Halloween Safety Month. Oct. 1–31. There are steps you can take to make it a safe Halloween for children and teens. For more information, browse
www.prevent-blindness.org.

National Book Month. Oct. 1–31. An invitation to everyone in America to take time out to treat themselves to a unique pleasure: reading a good book. For more information, browse www.nationalbook.org.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Oct. 1–31. To raise awareness of breast cancer and to provide access to screening services. For more information, browse www.nbcam.org.

National Crime Prevention Month. Oct. 1–31. During this month, individuals can commit to working on at least one of three levels—the family, neighborhood or community—to drive violence and drugs from our world. For more information, browse www.weprevent.org or www.ncpc.org.

National Go on a Field Trip Month. Oct. 1–31. To highlight the importance of a field trip as a way to help children learn. Studies show that children learn 85 percent more when a lesson is reinforced outside the classroom. For more information, browse www.fieldtripfactory.com.

Weekly Events

Fire Prevention Week. Oct. 7-–13. To increase awareness of the dangers of fire and to educate the public on how to stay safe from fire. For more information, browse www.nfpa.org.

National Food Bank Week. Oct. 14–20. To educate about and recognize the work of food banks, their donors and volunteers to alleviate hunger in the United States. For more information, browse www.secondharvest.org.

Daily Events

National Depression Screening Day. Oct. 4. To offer free, anonymous screening for depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. For more information, browse www.mentalhealthscreening.org.

World Smile Day. Oct. 5. A day dedicated to good works and good cheer throughout the world. The official theme for the day is “Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile.” As is well known by now throughout the world Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, MA created the smiley face in 1963. That image went on to become the most recognizable symbol of good will and good cheer on the planet. For more information, browse www.worldsmileday.com.

Columbus Day Observance. Oct. 8. Annual observance of Christopher Columbus’ arrival at the Bahamas, Oct. 12, 1492, after a dangerous voyage across “shoreless seas.” For more information browse https://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/oct12.html

Halloween. Oct. 31. An ancient celebration combining a pagan festival and Christian customs. Generally, this is simply a day when children dress up in funny costumes and go trick-or-treating.