Candy Overload? 9 Local Places To Donate Your Extra Halloween Candy

Editor's note: This popular post is updated for 2021.

We ended up with a lot of Halloween candy this year - two giant bags worth! While you might be tempted to eat it all or let your children eat it all, you have options to donate it to some local nonprofits.

Not every food pantry or soup kitchen is able to take candy donations for a variety of reasons — their focus might be on healthful food or rules could require that any food that is distributed include nutrition and ingredient labels (not common on fun size candy bars).

Here are a few nonprofits that will accept your extra candy this year:

Catholic Parish Outreach Food Pantry2013 Raleigh Blvd., Raleigh

Hours: Starting Nov. 8 their hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Catholic Parish Outreach Food Pantry is the largest food pantry in Wake County and serves any resident of Wake, Johnston or Franklin counties, who is referred to them in writing by an agency, church (any denomination), community or public service organization, based on need. Services are provided regardless of a person's faith.They'd also love a donation. Just $25 pays for groceries for one week for a family of four.Urban Ministries of Durham410 Liberty St., Durham, enter the glass doors with the purple awning

Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m,. Monday through Friday

Urban Ministries of Durham offers food, shelter and a future for about 6,000 people each year through a variety of programs. The agency will be updating its holiday giving page soon to offer other seasonal donation ideas to help those it serves, including children. The nonprofit also welcomes cash gifts any time of year.Ronald McDonald House of Durham506 Alexander Ave., Durham

Hours: It's open 24/7, seven days a week. You can drop off candy anytime, just call the group's main line at 919-286-9305 when you arrive so someone can come out and greet you.

The Ronald McDonald House of Durham serves families of critically ill children at Duke Children's Hospital in Durham and WakeMed in Raleigh. The group helps hundreds of families each year. It also has a wish list with urgent needs. Right now, paper towels, Pop Tarts, instant grits, dried fruit, kitchen towels and large plastic kitchen storage containers are critical needs.Ship Community Outreach

105 E. Lee St., Raleigh

Ship Community Outreach works in Southeast Raleigh, fighting food insecurity. Aleece Spalding, the group's executive director, tells me that kids in the neighborhood would love to have candy. The nonprofit provides food and clothing to the community and operates a subsidized grocery store, employment readiness training program and free weightlifting yard with nutrition counseling and youth camps. It's also seeking donations of time and money to support its mission.Boys & Girls Clubs serving Wake County

Donations are being accepted at individual clubs from 2:30-8 p.m. Monday through Friday:

• Raleigh Boys Club, 605 N. Raleigh Boulevard Raleigh, NC 27610
• Raleigh Girls Club, 701 N. Raleigh Boulevard Raleigh, NC 27610
• “The Club” Teen Center, 721 N. Raleigh Blvd. Raleigh NC 27610
• Wake Forest Boys & Girls Club, 325 S. Wingate Street Wake Forest, NC 27587
• Zebulon Boys & Girls Club,1320 Shepard School Road, Zebulon, NC 27597
• Washington Elementary Boys & Girls Club, 1000 Fayetteville Street Raleigh, NC 27601
• Brentwood Boys & Girls Club, 2025 New Hope Church Road, Raleigh, NC 27604

The Boys & Girls Clubs serving Wake County has been a critical source of support for families during the pandemic, providing a safe place for kids to learn, play and access food and other needs during these challenging times. In addition to candy, they could always use your donations.Read and Feed171-10 High House Rd., Cary

Hours: 10 am. to 2 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays

Read and Feed is a nonprofit based in Cary with the mission to strengthen literacy skills among underserved elementary school children and provide meals in a nurturing neighborhood environment. It uses Mobile Classroom RVs to meet students in their community for after-school tutoring and meals. On top of candy donations, it also welcomes monetary, school supply and book donations.Life Experiences260 Towerview Court, Cary

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Life Experiences provides employment and social opportunities for adults with varying disabilities. Its businesses include a bakery where you can order all kinds of cookies, brownies and other treats. It also seeks support through donations and volunteers.Student U

600 E. Umstead St., Durham

Student U is a community organization that works to empower and equip first-generation college students in Durham Public Schools to become leaders. The nonprofit has programs for middle school and high school students, along with family support services.Southpoint Academy

7415 Fayetteville Rd., Durham

The private school is meeting in person and would love candy donations, the school administrator tells me.Other optionsLocal dentist offices also are accepting candy donations, which often are then donated to Operation Gratitude or Operation Shoebox, which distribute candy to those serving in the military. Check with your dentist or those in your neighborhood to find out if they are accepting candy.