Halloween is over and your home looks like a candy store? You’re not alone and many families around the Tampa area are waking up to piles and piles of candy that their children couldn’t possibly eat and not get sick.
So what do you do with all that leftover candy? Besides feasting over them for the next few weeks, you can earn cash, prizes and find new ways to re-purpose those tasty Halloween treats.
We’ve found some of the best ideas and local places where you can put your excess Halloween candy to good use.
Candy Donations to Troops
Operation Shoebox packs boxes year-round with candy, but especially for the holidays. They collect donated candy to send to U.S. Troops in care packages. Individually wrapped candies; heat-resistant candy is best in warm seasons. Mail your candy donation to:
Operation Shoebox
8360 East Highway 25
Belleview. Fl. 34420
Use it
Besides just eating it, you could always make a trail mix out of it. Use it as toppings on ice cream, inside brownies or rice krispies treats.
Save it
Save some of those treats for rewards, birthday goody bags, church or scout group activities. According to the National Confectioners Association regarding the shelf life of various types of Halloween candy:
-Chocolate: Dark chocolate can be kept for one to two years if wrapped in foil and stored in a cool, dark and dry place. Milk and white chocolates last up to eight to 10 months.
-Hard candy: Lollipops, roll candy and butterscotch candies can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in cool, dry conditions.
Earn Cash/Offers/Prizes
1.Goodnight Orthodontics
Nov. 1-3, 2017 during regular business hours. For every pound of candy, receive $1. Up to $5 only, however you may donate more.
Goodnight Orthodontics
6538 Gunn Hwy
Tampa, FL, 33612
Goodnight Orthodontics
3223 S Dale Mabry Hwy
Tampa, FL 33629
www.goodnightortho.com
2.Randall A Diez, DMD PA
November 1-2, 2017 during regular business hours children ages 3-10 will earn $1 for every pound of candy they bring in. Please feel free to bring stuffed animal toys and any Thank You Cards written to the Troops. All candy will be donated to our U.S. Troops.
Randall A Diez, DMD PA
5010 Gunn HWY
Tampa, Fl, 33624
Phone: (813) 960-5869
Randall A Diez, DMD PA
3112 W. Kennedy Blvd, Suite A
TAMPA, FL, 33609
Phone: (813) 874-5869
3.Eye Docs Optical
3384 Tampa Rd
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
(727) 491-3786
Nov. 1-3, 2017 from 9 am-5pm stop by and donate your unwanted candy and receive a $50 Eye Docs Optical Gift Card to be used towards your next eyeglass purchase. All candy will be donated to U.S. troops.
4. Staves Pediatric Dentistry
5310 4th Street N
St Petersburg, Fl, 33703
Phone: (727) 526-5900
November 1-2, 2017: Donate your unwanted Halloween Candy and they will donate it to Operation Gratitude which sends treats to U.S. Troops.
5. Dental Wellness of Westchase
11321 Countryway Blvd
Tampa, Fl, 33626
Phone: (823) 855-2273
Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017 from 2:30-5:30 p.m.
For every pound of candy, receive $1* and a free tooth brush. Up to $5 only per person.
6. Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry
Visit any of their five office locations below on Nov 1-3, 2017 from 3- 5 p.m. to receive cash for your unwanted Halloween candy. Donated Halloween candy will be sent to our U.S. troops.
Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry
5139 Little Road
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
Phone: 727-807-2273
Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry
8381 Seminole Blvd
Seminole, FL, 33772
Phone: 727-397-8800
Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry
4850 1st Ave N
St Petersburg, FL, 33713
Phone: 727-321-4850
Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry
8327 W Hillsborough Ave
Tampa, FL, 33615
Phone: 813-885-3345
Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry
14030 US 19
Hudson, FL 34667
7. Suncoast Braces
17020 County Line Rd Suite 102
Spring Hill, Fl, 34610
Phone: (352) 593-4997
Dates & Hours: Nov 1- 9, 2017 during regular business hours. Receive cash for your unwanted Halloween candy. $1 for every lb, up to 10 lbs. Children can also make a card, draw a picture or write a letter to the troops. All candy will be donated to U.S. troops through OperationGratitude.org
8. STANO Foundation will gladly accept any wrapped candies to add into their care packages going out to military members who will be deployed this holiday. You may drop off at these locations:
Drop off locations
A-OK Trophies LLC – 3724 Land O’Lakes Blvd, Land o’ Lakes, Florida 34639
Aprile Chiropractic & Wellness – 1932 Highland Oaks Boulevard, Lutz, Florida 33553
Avalon Park West – 33613 SR 54, Wesley Chapel, Florida 33545
Dancing for Donations – 1076 E Brandon Blvd. #101, Brandon, Florida 33511
Ideal Massage LLC Wesley Chapel – 27317 Cashford Cir, Wesley Chapel, Florida 33544
Shapes Fitness for Women – 11301 N 56th St, Temple Terrace, Florida 33617
Signarama – 1917 Passero Ave., Lutz, FL 33559
Sunshine Smile Designs – 5345 3rd Street, Zephyrhills, Florida 33542
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