Photo by Denny Muller on Unsplash
We hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween collecting as much candy as your arms, and stomach, could carry! Even though your kids will most likely shove as much candy as possible into their mouths for days and weeks to come, you as a parent know that there is definitely a thing as too much candy. Instead of throwing that unnecessarily large sack of sugar away, think about giving back to your community or using your candy in these creative ways.
Donate to a Good Cause
Treats for Troops: Treats for Troops is a Halloween Candy collection program, organized by Soldiers’ Angels, where local businesses accept extra Halloween candy from families in exchange for fun goodies! The businesses that choose to participate in this organization ship the candy that was collected to Soldiers’ Angels, and they make sure the candy gets to deployed service members and veterans to bring out their inner child and send them a small token of appreciation for all that they do and have done for our country!
Learn more about Treats for Troops here and find a candy collection site near you!
Halloween Candy Buyback: The Halloween Candy Buyback program is very similar to Treats for Troops in which local businesses such as dental offices, gyms, churches, and schools collect excess Halloween candy and ship them to troops in exchange for cash, coupons, goods, and services.
Learn more about the Halloween Candy Buyback program here and search for a buyback event in your city!
Operation Shoebox: Operation Shoebox’s mission is to meet the needs of every hero with dignity and appreciation. They send between 350 and 400 care packages a week to troops deployed overseas, and in order to raise money for shipping costs, they have opened a used furniture store and thrift store with items donated by community members. To be included in these care packages, Operation Shoebox is accepting any and all types of candy that can be shipped to their address in Belleview FL.
Visit their website for more information on how to send your leftover Halloween goodies!
Ronald McDonald House Charities: Ronald McDonald House Charities provide temporary housing, basic amenities, and support families with children receiving treatment at the Children’s Hospital. If you are interested in helping this cause, call your local chapter to find out if they are accepting donations of unopened Halloween candy to bring the fun of trick or treating to them!
Check out the Ronald McDonald House Charities website to learn more about what they do and how to contact your local chapter.
Use Them in The Kitchen
If you want to reuse your Halloween candy, stir them into your ice cream, add them to your trail mix, or try some new dessert recipes with your leftover treats! Below we have 5 ideas for some tasty desserts you and your family can try in order to use up some of your favorite candies.
Take Leftover Candy to Work
Make your coworkers' days a little sweeter by bringing in your extra Halloween candy. Hand it out or put it in a candy dish and let everyone choose their own candy throughout the day! Be prepared to move up to #1 coworker because candy = happiness.
Save Leftover Candy for Guests During the Holidays
As long as your candy is kept in a cool place, the additives in it make it last a very long time. Whenever you have guests over during the holiday season, put your unused Halloween candy in a candy dish and let your guests pick at it whenever they want a sweet treat!
Stuff Candy in a Pinata for Your Children’s Next Birthday Party
Make sure that you check the expiration date before using any saved Halloween candy, but all of these individually wrapped treats are perfect to use for your next pinata party! Who doesn’t love a pinata?
Photo by Santiago Filio on Unsplash