Cedar Point has donated its loose change -- more than $5,700 worth -- to a northern Ohio soup kitchen.

The money represents all the collected change that was tossed into the amusement park's fountains and fell out of pockets on thrill rides and the midway during the past year.

Section: Holiday Guide

Spokesman Robin Innes said the park has decided to give all the money to the soup kitchen for the last two years to help people dealing with economic distress in the local area.

"It seems like each year there are more people who need assistance," Innes said. "We figured it'd be a good way to help as many people as we can."

It was given Monday to Victory Temple Soup Kitchen in Sandusky, where the park is located.

Cedar Point started its Loose Change charity fund 20 years ago.|

Cedar Point also recycles its aluminum cans collected through bins in employee break rooms each year and donates the proceeds to the Burn Care and Reconstructive Center at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo.