Have you had your fill of fun-sized chocolate bars and Skittles bags for the season? If the trick-or-treaters were scarce this year or you simply overbought, there’s plenty of ways for the candy to be used for good without having to consume pounds of it yourself.
Places to Donate Excess Halloween Candy in Kansas City
Treats for Troops
This organization allows local (approved) businesses to collect unused candy and send it to troops needing a sugar pick-me-up. The metro has three local sites (Kelsey Ballard State Farm in Lenexa, KS; McDaniel Family Dental in Blue Springs, MO; and Wolf Creek PTO in Spring Hill, KS) willing to take leftovers, but only for a short time so do not miss the window!
Learning Tree Candy Buyback
From November 1 – 5, The Learning Tree in Prairie Village will buy back your unopened, individually wrapped candy in exchange for $5 to spend at the store! Those donations will be shipped to Treats for Troops following the 5th. A few rules apply. The store asks to only receive donations from families, and no large amounts from schools or churches. Drop the candy off in grocery sacks, small boxes or Ziplock bags.
Operation Shoebox
Operation Shoebox is another troop centered charity, always willing to take extra candy off your hands. They distribute candy on Halloween, Christmas and Easter to troops missing the festivities while away from home, regardless of where they are stationed. Donations can be mailed to Operation Shoebox at: 8360 East Highway 25, Belleview, FL 34420.
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Candy donations are accepted (among other needed food items) to give to patients and families staying in the Kansas City Ronald McDonald House while receiving treatment. Is there a better way to brighten a day than to receive a little chocolate!? Make sure to call beforehand to ensure donations are still needed, and any specific rules that may apply.
Dental Offices
Dental offices often hold “Buy Back Events” where they will trade your unopened candy for MONEY or small prizes! Byers Dental in Kansas City is one office ready to keep everyone’s teeth from rotting.
Additional Ideas:
- Call your local nursing home, food pantry or homeless shelter to see if they accept donations.
- Elementary schools love candy to give out as incentives, recess prizes and fun treats.
- Leaving out a bowl of candy for postal workers and delivery drivers is a great way to show appreciation.
- Make treat bags to deliver to local fire and police stations as a thank you for keeping our communities safe.
Bonus Tip: Rather than adding all of those porch pumpkins to the landfill, drop them off at the east parking lot of the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens between November 1 and 22! Arboretum staff will compost the pumpkins for use in their gardens.
Now that you have your candy and pumpkins out of the way, it’s time to make room for all the Thanksgiving goodness!
