As usual I didn’t get any Trick-or-Treaters at my house this year, so I’ve got lots of leftover candy. If it stays in my house, I’ll eat it all, so I should probably find a way to unload it. Luckily there are lots of organizations that will gladly take all of those Snickers and Reese’s and Kit Kats and donate it to soldiers and also children in hospitals. You can donate your extra Halloween candy to any of these groups and it will be greatly appreciated.
The organization Soldier’s Angels collects Treats for Troops. They collect candy and send it to soldiers, and your donation is tax deductible. Plus, kids can get buyback prizes. A similar program called Operation Gratitude will send your unwanted sweets to deployed troops, veterans and also first responders who are working away from home. And Operation Shoebox boxes up care packages with candy, granola bars, jerky and more for military members on Halloween and also Christmas and Easter, so keep them in mind as well.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities will gladly accept your unwanted excess Halloween candy and pass it out to sick children and their families at hospitals in your area. Contact your local branch for more information on how to donate.
And if you want to keep your kids from eating too much candy, see if you can convince them to take part in the Halloween Candy Buy Back. They work with dentists’ offices to swap the sweets for things like toothbrushes, hygiene kits and coupons. Good luck getting your kids to agree to that deal!
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