This is the list I use...got it from here:
http://www.operationmilitarypride.org/packages.html Food Items
*Instant coffee. There are many flavored coffees that are very good.
*Powdered Gatorade.
*Powdered hot chocolate
*Kool-Aid (presweetened of course)
*Tea bags
*Slim Jim's
*Crackers and Easy Cheese. Triscuits and Ritz crackers are
great.
*Single servings of bagged chips. (The small bags stay fresh longer.)
*Candy, of course. (M & M's are great, hard candy-anything that won't
melt.)
*Little Debbie snack cakes
*Bubble gum
*Rice Krispie Treats
*Dry cereal. (The small, individual serving boxes stay very fresh.)
*Kraft Easy Mac
*Microwave popcorn
*Beef jerky
*Granola bars
*Power bars
*Dried fruit
*Chex mix
*Canned soup
*Tuna
*Spices (Onion powder, garlic powder, spice all, ect )
*Summer sausage
*Oatmeal
*Salsa
*Lollipops
*Marshmallows
*Gum
*Chips
*Ragu Express
*Canned chicken
*Salad dressing
*Instant soup
*Fast food condiments (Hot sauce, ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper
packets, relish, Mayo)
The Kids
* Have the kids draw a picture or write a story every day. Put them all
in a big envelope and send them with the care packages.
* Take video of the kids playing at the park, any school activities or
just sitting down and saying a personal message.
* Get some computer printer magnetic paper. Let the kids use paint
markers to draw a picture on it so the parent can easily hang it on the
metal rack that they sleep in.
* Let the kids do their very own care package. Let them put in whatever
they want.
*Use a casting kit to create a miniature plaster "sculpture" of a
new baby's foot or hand for a new daddy.
Practical
*Clorox wipes
*Baby wipes
*Razors, shaving cream
*Shampoo, conditioner
*After shave lotion
*Soap or body wash
*Mouth wash
*Deodorant
*T-shirts, underwear and socks, monthly.
*A big fluffy towel
*Eye drops, especially for those in the desert.
*Chapstick
*Lip balm
*Sun block
*Skin so soft (Avon)
*Lotion
*Dental floss
*Baby powder
*Foot powder
*Combs /brushes
*Cotton balls
*Liquid hand sanitizer
*Breath mints
*Contact lens cleaner
*Eye drops
*Nail files
For Females
*Feminine hygiene products (Tampons, panty liners)
*Hair bands
*Hair clips
*Nail polish
*Nail clippers
*Q-tips
*Small mirrors
*body sprays
*Candles
*Hair spray (Pump)
*Hair gel
*Perfume
Just for fun
*Send batteries. It sounds simple, but people forget.
*Sunblock
*A stress ball.
*Stamps, paper and envelopes with a nice writing pen might inspire a
few more letters home.
*Phone cards (AT&T work best from Kuwait)
*Paperback book or magazines
*Disposable cameras
*Puzzles
*Film
*Journals
*Yo Yo's
*Squirt guns
*Frisbees
*Dart boards
*Small flash lights
*Hackie sacks
*Jump ropes
*Electronics hand held games
*Post cards from your home state
*Handmade items
*Radio head sets
*Portable CD players
*Mini fans
*Jokes and comics
*Balloons
*Hats (Baseball)
*Bandannas
*Socks
*Blankets
*Bug off
*Single sheet sets
*Birthday decorations
*Banners
*Send board games-the ones they have made into key chains.
*Send his favorite magazines
*If they're gone over a holiday, do up one box with just holiday
stuff. Be creative!
*With a CD burner, make a CD of favorite songs.
*Always write letters, but in addition you might record your letters
onto a tape.
*Send a few toys. Slinky, sidewalk chalk, squirt guns...anything
extra silly.
*Send electronic games.
*Make a miniature scrapbook.
*Foam footballs and basketballs, the miniature size. These will be
used constantly!
Although I do not smoke,(and wish my son who is in Iraq right now didn't), the soldiers really appreciate cigarettes. I feel the soldiers, airmen, marines, and sailors over there have more than cancer to worry about. Just do not list them on the disclosure form you have to fill out for the post office. You may get some democrat post office employee who prefers that military be as uncomfortable as possible.
HAPPY SENDING I know they appreciate the care packages.
