Pedestrians were given pumpkin to talk about on Tuesday as at-risk youth gave out great big gourds on Hunter Street.
More than 10 tonnes of pumpkins were picked from the patch at Pathfinders Tilbuster Station just outside Armidale, with at least three tonnes delivered to Soul Hub to make meals for people in need.
The annual Pathfinders Pumpkin Run is an opportunity for at-risk youth to give generously, preparing and serving pumpkin soup to those experiencing hardship and homelessness.
Kamilaroi and Bunjalung man Allan Walker knows first hand the good the program can do.
Mr Walker first became involved as part of community service and is now a paid staff member helping other at-risk youth.
"I was locked up for a bit, I got out and from there I was doing community service for about five months and ended up coming here," he said.
"It's helped me a couple of different ways, I stopped doing bad stuff and matured a bit, I stopped doing all of that stuff and I've got my kids now.
"I get along with all the boys. I love having a laugh, mucking around with the boys, I reckon that's the best part."
Mr Walker said while they don't always get feedback from the people they give generously to, he knows they're doing a good thing and that people appreciate it.
This year marks the 13th pumpkin run, which left Armidale with a convoy of more than 40 young people and staff and headed to Newcastle and Sydney.
Pathfinders chief executive officer Alan Brennan said the program gives at-risk youth meaning and purpose.
"What we want is for young people to grow up to become contributing members of our society," Mr Brennan said.
"A lot of these young people have had trauma in their lives, many of them have no family to speak of, this activity reengages people."
While the weather has not been very helpful this year, it has provided an opportunity for young people to learn resilience working with nature.
With families facing a cost-of-living crisis, Mr Brennan said the humble act of gifting a pumpkin gives people hope.
"Families are going without meals, the cost-of-living crisis is real, it's driving people to desperation in many cases," he said.
"There's a very hopeful message in the pumpkin run, it's great to see that."
At Soul Hub, staff, youth and volunteers were hard at work cutting up buckets of pumpkins ready to serve to Newcastle's most vulnerable.
The charity dishes out more than 1000 meals a week to people experiencing homelessness, social isolation, mental health challenges, addiction, financial hardship or personal crisis.
Soul Hub general manager Matthew Ortiger said the pumpkin run is an excellent support.
"When two charities come together in community, and when we complement each other and catch up year after year, that's a really powerful thing," Mr Ortiger said.
"There's people helping serve meals, welcoming on the door, helping in the kitchen, they're all throughout our organisation today.
"Everyone's sharing in one another's journey."
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