Our Observation

Parents spend months searching for the perfect costume — or countless hours stitching it from scratch. Then they plan routes for trick-or-treating and, piece by piece, make sure all the candy their little ones have collected is safe to eat. But some are asking that these families hand over their sugary booty to support a good cause.

Operation Gratitude is a program that collects donated Halloween candy and sends it, along with other foods, hygiene products, entertainment and letters of appreciation to troops overseas. That is heart-warming enough — surplus candy being used to make soldiers feel good.

But it gets better. The soldiers who receive the candy often swap the candy for information about improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from native kids. So the sweets can save lives.

Many local community service groups are backing this cause, and some local dentists are even paying children $1 per pound to hand over some of their candy stash and then donating it to Operation Gratitude. The practice got even more play locally when Winter Park’s Andrew Weinstock announced his mission to collect a ton — literally — of candy for the troops.

It’s not hard to see the upside to this cause. In a time when childhood obesity is constantly on the rise, letting children have access to candy does not seem wise. Candy causes cavities and weight gain, and it should be consumed in moderation. Yet, it’s common to see kids toting bags brimming with candy on Halloween night. Some parents even supply them with pillowcases to fill with candy. This program gives parents an excellent outlet for excess candy.

If sending troops bargaining chips makes you uncomfortable, there are plenty of causes worthy of an overflowing candy collection.

Meals on Wheels will take these treats off your hands to give to area seniors. Food banks, such as Second Harvest, are another worthy recipient. Central Florida has no shortage of homeless shelters where candy would make a special donation. There’s also Candy Exchange, a program where dentists encourage children to donate their candy and in exchange they donate their time and skill to Smiles Change Lives, a nonprofit organization that provides affordable orthodontic treatment to children nationwide.

Also, check with local nursing homes, foster care homes or other agencies that work with families in need.

It’s not often that we find ourselves with a surplus of anything these days, so when we do, we should take the time to consider the best way to utilize the goods or services. In this case, there are plenty of worthy causes that will not only take these sweets and use them for the greater good, but possibly save you and your family a trip to a doctor’s office.