Give Back This Halloween: Allergy-Friendly Tips & Candy Donation Spots

With Halloween right around the corner, here are some tips to help make trick-or-treating fun and safe for everyone managing allergies.

At the top of the list...

• ALWAYS CARRY YOUR MEDICATION and a charged cell phone.
• Look for Teal Pumpkin Project homes - Houses with a teal pumpkin offer non-food treats, making it easy to have fun without worry! You can find a list of participating homes through FARE’s Teal Pumpkin Project map.
• No eating candy while trick-or-treating - It's easier to double check ingredients at home.
• Pre-plan a candy swap - Trade unsafe treats for allergy-friendly favorites. Have swap options ready-whether it's trading unsafe candy for safe treats or offering a small amount of money per piece.
• When in doubt, take it out - If ingredients aren't clearly listed, it's best to skip it.
• Teach Giving - Consider donating any unsafe candy together with your child. Check out our blog for a list of donation programs, from dentist offices to homeless shelters and even military. This can help teach them the value of giving and sharing with others.

Spread the Sweetness: Where to Donate Your Halloween Candy

There are several options to safely pass along those extra treats:

• Local Organizations: Schools, churches, homeless shelters, and police and fire stations often accept candy.
• Food banks and pantries: These organizations often accept sweets in addition to non-perishable food items.
• Ronald Donald House Charities: Some local chapters accept candy to give families of children with ongoing health issues. 
• Operation Gratitude: This organization connects communities with the military, veterans, and first responders by distributing candy to them.
• Soldiers' Angels Treats for Troops: This organization ships candy to veterans and deployed service members. 
• Dental offices and businesses: Some dental offices and businesses hold Halloween candy buybacks, trading items for candy to donate to troops. 

You can call your local food pantry , nursing home, or homeless shelter to see if they will accept your candy.