It’s hard to imagine a world where a box of Thin Mints or Peanut Butter Patties sits around untouched—but believe it or not, it happens every Girl Scout cookie season. And when it does, the Girl Scouts have a few ways to handle the leftovers.

Across the country, local councils can end up with unsold boxes for a variety of reasons. It’s not the same everywhere, but troop leaders often point to rising prices, tighter budgets due to inflation, bad weather hurting in-person sales, and the growing number of copycat cookies popping up at major retailers.

One troop leader shared online that sales have taken a noticeable hit: what used to be 100 boxes sold in a day dropped to just 20 this year. Others say the increase in grocery store “dupes” is making it harder to compete.

So what happens when those cookies don’t sell?

Sometimes troops try to move inventory by transferring boxes to higher-performing groups or extending their sales beyond the official season. But those workarounds aren’t always encouraged—and in some cases, councils may even penalize troops for bending the rules.

The most widely accepted solution? Giving them away.

According to official guidance, donating leftover cookies is not only allowed—it’s encouraged. Troops often partner with food pantries, charities, and community organizations to turn extra cookies into a small treat for people in need. It’s a win-win that helps reduce waste while spreading a little joy.

Behind the scenes, the two licensed bakeries that produce Girl Scout cookies—ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers—also have systems in place to manage unsold inventory responsibly. While details are limited, past reports suggest that some extras may end up donated to charitable causes or distributed to places like prisons.

At the local level, councils have gotten creative with donations, sending cookies to first responders, veterans’ groups, senior living communities, and food banks.

There are also organized programs like “Care to Share,” “Cookie Share,” and “Gift of Caring,” where customers can buy cookies specifically to be donated. In some cases, these efforts add up in a big way—hundreds of thousands of boxes have been distributed through these programs alone.

And if there are still cookies left after all that?

Well, they don’t exactly go to waste. Some troops use them in recipes, stash them away for later, or simply enjoy the extras themselves. As one person put it online, sometimes those unsold boxes just end up in a closet—waiting to be eaten by a very happy household.

So while it might feel like every box should disappear instantly, the reality is a little more complicated. But whether they’re sold, shared, or snacked on later, those cookies almost always find a home.