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Where to donate leftover Halloween candy in the US and Canada (2026)

By Mohit Garg Updated October 6, 2026
An open cardboard box filled with wrapped chocolate bars of many brands, seen from above
Photo: Denny Müller on Unsplash (Unsplash License)

Most families end up with more Halloween candy than their kids should eat. Instead of letting it sit in a cupboard until it goes stale, you can pass it on to kids and adults who’ll enjoy it.

That’s how CandyForKids started. Our family began collecting leftover Halloween candy for kids who had none, and we still run a drive every November. This guide covers our drive, your local food bank, and other programs we’ve confirmed are running in 2026.

Before you donate: what candy is useful

Every program sets its own rules. These are the basics for our drive, and a good starting point anywhere:

  • Wrapped and sealed. Unwrapped or opened candy can’t be given out.
  • Long shelf life. Hard and chewy candies keep longer than anything soft or fresh.
  • Won’t melt. Our drive only takes candy that won’t melt. Other programs may accept chocolate, so ask first.
  • Candy, not food. Our drive can’t take homemade treats or other food. Check the rules for any other collection.

Sorting the haul at home helps. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until kids are home to check treats and throwing out anything spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious. Let your kids keep their favourites, then set aside the rest to donate. For more ideas on handling a big haul, see what to do with leftover Halloween candy.

Our 2026 drive runs November 1 to 15.

Where: Kumon Centre of Etobicoke, 666 Burnhamthorpe Rd, Etobicoke, ON M9C 2Z4. Drop off during centre hours, and please call ahead.

We accept wrapped candy with a long shelf life that won’t melt, such as:

  • Caramels
  • Candy corn
  • Jelly candies
  • Gum

We can’t take food, chips or drinks.

Candy that meets these rules usually lasts 6 to 9 months, which means it can be shared well beyond Halloween. See our candy drive page for the latest details, and our where the money goes page for how the project is funded.

Want to host a collection point at your school, dental office, tutoring centre or shop? Get in touch through the candy drive page.

Your local food bank

Food banks are the most widely available option in both countries. Many accept candy, but not all do, and each one sets its own rules. Some only take certain items, some have limited storage, and some can’t use candy at all.

Before you go:

  • Call ahead. Ask whether they accept wrapped candy that won’t melt, and when you can drop it off.
  • Ask about quantity if you have a lot, so they can tell you whether they have room.
  • Keep it sorted. Bring only wrapped, sealed candy, with any opened packages removed.

To find one near you:

Community programs such as shelters, after-school programs and family resource centres may also welcome candy. The same rule applies: call first.

Other programs in the US and Canada

We only list programs whose official websites show they’re running for Halloween 2026. Programs come and go, and some well-known candy collections have paused in recent years, so always check the program’s own site before you drop off or ship anything.

Soldiers’ Angels: Treats for Troops (US)

Treats for Troops is a nationwide US Halloween candy drive run by Soldiers’ Angels, a nonprofit that supports military service members and veterans. Its official page confirms it’s running in 2026.

How it works:

  • Local businesses and organizations host collection sites. Soldiers’ Angels says these include schools, churches, gyms and dental offices.
  • To donate a small amount (Soldiers’ Angels says 10 lbs or less), use the Treats for Troops candy map to find a collection site near you.
  • Where the candy goes: Soldiers’ Angels says candy is shipped or delivered to VA hospitals, military installations, and Guard and Reserve units across the country, and some goes into care packages for deployed service members.
  • To host a site: registration for 2026 collection sites is open from October 1 to 11:59 p.m. CT on October 31.

Each collection site sets its own drop-off hours, so check the map listing or contact the site before you go. The official page doesn’t list candy rules, so ask the site what they accept.

Programs in Canada

Outside our own drive, we haven’t yet confirmed a national candy donation program in Canada that’s running in 2026. Your best options are your local food bank and community programs near you. Some local businesses, including dental offices, run their own collections around Halloween, so it’s worth asking in your area.

If you know of a program that’s running this year, email us and we’ll check it and consider adding it.

Can’t find a place to donate?

If nothing near you takes candy:

  • Save it for later. Wrapped candy stores well in a cool, dry place and can be used for holiday baking, gingerbread houses or party treat bags.
  • Bring it to work or a community event, where a shared bowl can disappear quickly.
  • Hold onto it for our drive next year, checking best-before dates first.

And next Halloween, consider handing out non-candy treats at your own door, so there’s less to deal with afterward.

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