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Where to Donate Halloween Candy in 2024

1. Operation Shoebox

Operation Shoebox is perhaps the most famous of the organizations that collect and send care packages and donate Halloween candy to troops overseas. Operation Shoebox accepts individually wrapped candy all year, though it's good to note that heat-resistant candies are preferred. Guess you'd better eat those Snickers!

The address for where to ship your candy is on the website, and there's even a form to fill out and include if you'd like to receive a thank you and/or donation receipt. 

2.  Any Soldier

Like Operation Shoebox, Any Soldier accepts individually wrapped candy all year long, and heat-resistant candies are preferred. Any Soldier also allows you to search soldiers' wish lists and send donations directly overseas. While they have specific requests for their locations and situations, many soldiers say food and snacks (like candy!) are always appreciated.

3. Halloween Candy Buyback Program with Troopathon

Participate in the Halloween Candy Buyback Program sponsored by Troopathon by collecting Halloween candy and sending it in. It's called a buyback program, but really, it's donating candy to be included in care packages for the troops. Last year over 20,000 pounds of candy were collected and sent overseas.

You can also send any personal messages from kids who donate their candy, and the messages will be included with the candy in the care packages.

Donations are collected through the end of the year, but the organization recommends shipping between November 1-7. Look for local participating businesses or groups, or send in candy directly from your family, friends, and neighbors. Donations of toothpaste, toothbrushes, and other hygienic products are also very welcome.

RELATED: Hilarious Halloween Jokes for Kids

Donate Halloween candy to troops through Soldiers' Angels Treats for Troops. Photo courtesy of Soldiers' Angels

4. Soldiers' Angels

Soldiers' Angels organizes Treats for Troops annually. Visit the candy map to find a Halloween candy donation drop-off point or register to start a drive of your own.

5. Ronald McDonald House Charities

The Ronald McDonald House helps keep severely ill kids and their parents together during treatment. While there is no universal candy donation program, many locations accept donations of unopened candy for the families they're helping after Halloween.

Visit the RMHC Chapter search page to locate your nearest House and inquire about the specifics for candy donations.

6. Think Local

Finally, don't forget about your local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, food pantry, retirement home, or nursing home when thinking of where to donate Halloween candy. Many take donations of unopened candy for residents and guests year-round. Be sure to call first to find out if they accept treats, which your kids can deliver with a note and a non-cavity-filled smile.

Note: Operation Gratitude is no longer accepting candy donations for the troops

Operation Gratitude has sent care packages to US troops stationed overseas and first responders stateside for years, collecting hundreds of thousands of pounds of candy annually. Though the candy donations were much appreciated, the organization found that the bulk shipments used to disperse tons of sweets were creating serious logistics bottlenecks for the units of service members and first responders.

Currently the organization is transitioning to other ways of volunteering. If your kids enjoy giving to our troops, encourage them to write letters today!

This article was originally published in October 2013; it is updated annually.