Northport Families 21-Year Halloween Tradition Is Helping Feed Families

NORTHPORT, NY — For 21 straight Halloweens, Hallie Brenner, Greg Perles, and their daughters — Dylan, Zoe, and Kyra Perles of Northport have turned their home into a sweet-tooth destination for a good cause. What began in 2005 as a few trays of cupcakes on a folding table has become an annual bake sale that’s raised more than $27,000 for the Northport Food Pantry.

Each Halloween, their street fills with neighbors lining up for homemade pumpkin bread, cookies, brownies, and pies. Dylan, 27, was only seven when she first pitched the idea.

“Our parents always taught us how important it is to volunteer and give back,” said 20-year-old Kyra, now a junior at SUNY New Paltz, who has literally grown up alongside the event. “The bake sale has always been one year older than me. I can’t imagine Halloween without it. That first year, we made about $100. I remember being in kindergarten, telling my friends about it at show-and-tell and feeling so important because I got to teach them how to bake.”

Since then, the event has become a month-long family operation in preparation for Oct. 31. The family’s dead-end street fills with trick-or-treaters and locals who line up for the annual event. In September, the family prints flyers and canvases neighborhoods and local businesses. They have received donations from Copenhagen Bakery and Dunkin’ Donuts in Northport, and downtown owners also support the annual cause. The week before Halloween, the family's kitchen turns into a whirlwind of mixing bowls and frosting.

“We have people who tell us they come every year just for our pumpkin bread,” Kyra said. “One year, we ran out halfway through the day, and a woman had come all the way from across town. My mom and sister ran inside and made another batch — we can make that recipe in our sleep at this point.”

Even when the Perles sisters were away at college, they all came home for the week of Halloween just to help out. For the family, success isn’t measured by totals alone.

“It’s really the spirit of it all — the way everyone comes together,” Kyra said. “Every year feels special, because every year I forget how many people care about this as much as we do.”

Two years in particular stand out for Kyra that tested the bake sales' resilience: Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

“After Sandy, there were trees down and roofs caved in. We didn’t even know if Halloween would happen, but that year we broke our record for how much we raised. The community really banded together.”

The same happened during the pandemic.

“We had to change everything — no crowds, masks and gloves, people waiting outside one by one. We didn’t know if anyone would come. But again, we broke our record. I think everyone realized that was the moment the world needed more giving back.”

Kyra’s mother, Hallie Brenner, continues to help coordinate the effort alongside sisters Dylan and Zoe, 25. Each year, they deliver the proceeds directly to the Northport Food Pantry.

“They see about 300 families every week,” Kyra said. “They’re such a lovely, important organization, and they’re always so grateful when we visit. Part of the fun is that it’s just so heartwarming and pure. When you can find the joy in giving back, that’s what makes this so special.”

The 21st Annual Halloween Bake Sale will be held on Friday, Oct. 31, starting at 3 p.m. at 39 Kalmia Street in Northport, continuing until supplies run out.

Questions can be sent to bakesale39@gmail.com, and donations are accepted by Venmo @Greg-Perles as well as cash or check on the day of the event.

Local sponsors this year include Copenhagen Bakery, Dunkin’ Donuts Northport, Stop & Shop of Northport, IGA of East Northport, UPS Store of East Northport, Walgreens of Northport, Mario’s Pizza of East Northport, Pats Market of East Northport, Amore of East Northport and Northshore Bagels of Northport.