ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The city will take your jack-o'-lantern when you are done with it, and if it is still intact and uncarved, it will send it to a food pantry instead of a compost pile.

Pumpkin Rescue returns Saturday, Nov. 7, at six farmers' markets. Residents can donate whole pumpkins, gourds and squash to ALIVE! Alexandria, which distributes food to families, or drop off pumpkins in any condition — carved, moldy, rotting — at a Food Waste Drop-Off Station for composting.

Drop-offs run five weekends: Nov. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29 and Dec. 5-6.