SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) — If you’re like us, you probably bought too much candy for Halloween. Better to be over-prepared than under-prepared for all the adorable witches and super heroes who likely rang your doorbell Wednesday.
Or maybe your own little costumed creatures brought home a surplus of sweets.
So, what do you do with the candy now?
If you would like to remove the temptation from your cupboard there are some great charitable ways you can unload the sweets here in San Diego.
Check out the programs listed below which are collecting leftover Halloween candy. You can plug your zip code into many of their searches to find the drop-off location nearest to you.
Any Soldier: This program allows donors to choose which branch of the military to donate to and provides instructions on how to package and ship the goodies overseas.
Halloween Candy Buyback: Buybacks are held at local dental offices and other businesses who will take the excess candy and give out various treats including toothbrushes, cash, sugar-free products and more. Their website includes a zip code search to find participating locations.
The Helen Woodward Animal Center: The center will offer adoption fee discounts when children 12 years old or younger exchange the Halloween candy for an orphan pet. Kids will receive 10 dollars off adoption fees for every 50 pieces of candy they trade in with a maximum of 400 pieces and $80 off for dogs and 250 pieces and $50 off for cats. Collected candy will be donated to home-bound elderly residents as part of the animal center's program that helps feed the pets of people with limited mobility.
Operation Gratitude: Local businesses sign up to serve as collection spots for excess candy which is then distributed to veterans, deployed troops and first-responders. Their website includes a map to find participating locations.
Ronald McDonald House Charities: The nonprofit which serves the families of sick or injured children, is accepting candy donations so they can treat the people they take care of to sweet treats.
Soldiers’ Angels Treats for Troops: Local businesses – including many dental offices – accept excess candy in exchange for goodies. The candy is then distributed to soldiers overseas and in the U.S. along with veterans. Their website includes a zip code search to find participating locations.
The Super Dentists: For every pound of candy a child brings to a Super Dentists location they will receive $1 and $1 wil be donated to the child’s school. The candy collected is sent to American troops overseas.