Got Extra Halloween Candy? Donate It To The Troops

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Ask any kid and trick-or-treating is all about getting as much candy as possible.

However, their parents know it leads to a lot of leftovers.

Instead of just throwing away all the sugary sweets, a local chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America is asking that you donate the excess candy to a good cause.

"I've been collecting Halloween candy," said Sara Schmidt, who is collecting candy for troops overseas. "I've had three or four bags brought in since I last weighed it. Then it was 15 pounds, so, now I'm guessing it's 20-25."

For the last few days, Schmidt has added to a growing pile of candy on her kitchen table. It's an outpouring of community support from families around the north metro who've donated their Halloween leftovers to the men and women serving overseas.

"This will fill boxes to give to soldiers on deployment, right now. So, it will go all over the world," Schmidt said.

The candy will be used as filler for care packages, replacing the standard styrofoam packaging peanuts. Leading up to the holidays, Sara and members of the Blue Star Mothers of America, a group for military moms, will send out more than 100 care boxes.

"They need a piece of home. They are away from home for sometimes 12 months or longer," Schmidt said.

Schmidt saw the impact of the candy-packed care gifts when her son deployed last year.

"When he was deployed, he'd have his buddies go to the mail room and they'd say Schmidt you have another package.  So, they were all excited and he shared when he got things," Schmidt said.

As she and the Blue Star Moms prepare for another shipment, 23 pounds of candy still isn't enough for those looking to unload some of their Halloween excess.

"That's going to fill a lot of boxes, we've got a lot of boxes to fill," Schmidt said.

If you would like to donate your candy you can drop it off at the Cub Foods South in Brooklyn Park located at 7555 W Broadway Brooklyn Park.