East Northport Family Will Host 'Modified' Halloween Bake Sale

NORTHPORT, NY — For years, the Perles family of East Northport has given back to those in need, hosting an annual fundraiser for the Northport Food Pantry. That won't change in this year despite the coronavirus pandemic: The 16th Annual Halloween Bake Sale is on, but with some safety measures in place.

Halle Brenner Perles, her husband, Greg, and their three daughters, Dylan, Zoe and Kyra, have raised more than $16,000 since their inaugural 2005 bake sale. The event will take place across two days this year: 4 to 6 p.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. The bake sale is at 39 Kalmia St., East Northport.

"2020 has been a really hard year for everyone and the food pantry needs our help more than ever," Dylan, 22, told Patch in an email. "I am always in awe of how many people come to support our community every Halloween. When we started this event 16 years ago, we never imagined that it would still be going on."

This year, all food will be prepared and served by people wearing masks and gloves, according to the family. The Perles are also asking for exact change this year. People can Venmo @Greg-Perles, give cash or provide checks made out to Northport Food Pantry. Those interested are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing guidelines.

Treats include pumpkin pie, apple cake, cookies, brownies, muffins, pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting, gingerbread loaf with lemon glaze, and more.

"I've always been taught that it is important to give back to your community," Kyra, 15, said. "And especially during this pandemic, helping people in need can really make a difference in their lives. I'm really proud of our family's bake sale and that, with the help of family, friends, teachers and neighbors, we've kept it going all these years. It is times like these in particular that demonstrate a real need to care and to build solidarity with others."

Halle said she and Greg are really proud of their daughters, as well as all the kids who participate.

"Their generation often reminds us of the power to do good when empathy and action unite," she said.

The COVID-19 outbreak reminded Zoe, 20, of the 2012 bake sale experience: in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Zoe recalls the 2012 setting of an "isolated" community with no electricity or cell coverage and trees being down everywhere. People were scared, Zoe said, though her family decided to continue its bake sale tradition then.

"I remember being worried that we would not attract as many customers as we had in past years given the storm," she said. "But I was happily proven wrong. My fellow community members showed up that year and helped us raise more money for the Northport Food Pantry than we ever had before. Few things have moved me so much in my entire life. Since that day, the bake sale has always made me feel connected to my community. To me, it fosters a sense of unity and solidarity, particularly during times of uncertainty. I think that feeling is something we need more than ever right now. These are such scary and isolating times that we are living through and it is events like these that unite communities."

Questions for the family can be directed to bakesale39@gmail.com.