I suppose “gross” is a relative term, but when it comes to Circus Peanuts, Laffy Taffy and Wax Bottle candy, I exercise my parental veto power, and liberally toss out my daughter’s Halloween treats without an ounce of guilt.
Actually, this year we will be donating unwanted Halloween candy to a group, which will distribute the sweet treats to children who are unable to go trick-or-treating.
Other individuals are embracing the share-your-Halloween-candy concept as well. For example, dentists in New Hampshire, New Jersey and Iowa are redefining the phrase “put your money where your mouth is.”
The dental experts are asking trick-or-treaters to bring in their excess Halloween candy in exchange for cash. The dentists will give kids $1 for each pound of unopened candy they donate. Generous kids will also get a glow-in-the-dark toothbrush.
The collected candy will then be given to either Operation Gratitude (a nonprofit organization that sends care packages to deployed troops) or Operation Troop Support, which sends candy to troops overseas to share with poor children in war-torn villages.
What a brilliant idea!
Can you think of a better way to teach children about the joys of sharing and rid your home of excess Halloween candy at the same time?
I can’t, but I did come up with a few lingering thoughts about this Operation Share Your Candy program:
First of all, what kind of candy will the troops be getting?
It stands to reason that when a kid is forced to share candy, he will instinctively give up the grossest treats in his bag. So, does this mean that kids in Afghanistan and Iraq will be chowing down on rejected Necco Wafers, Root Beer Barrels, and blechy Bit-O-Honey pieces while their American counterparts munch on Snickers, Sour Patch Kids and M&Ms?
Is the lesson in sharing somewhat tainted if kids are asked to part with only the treats that they would normally pitch anyway?
What’s more, one of the main reasons the aforementioned dentists are running the Cash for Candy program is so children don’t OD on candy. Dental health advocates note that global sugar consumption for children currently sits at 50 million tons per year. Dentists also point out that excess candy consumption can lead to cavities, broken teeth and damaged braces, in addition to promoting hyperactivity and weight gain.
So, to avoid these nasty things from happening to our kids, let’s send tons of tooth-decaying candy to children overseas?
I’m kidding. Sort of.
Everything in moderation, right?
I’m sure our troops won’t be handing out two tons of candy to each child they meet in war-ravaged villages.
Still, let’s hope that the candy handouts don’t spark infighting among sweet-toothed Afghani kids who happen to love melted Laffy Taffy.
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