Companies That Send Free Care Packages And Items To Deployed Us Military Personnel

Deployed U.S. military members often experience long separations from family and limited access to familiar comforts. To help alleviate some of the challenges associated with deployment, a variety of businesses and organizations have stepped forward to provide care packages and free items directly to service members stationed overseas. These offerings range from gourmet snacks and books to hygiene products and morale-boosting supplies. For families, friends, and supporters of deployed troops, these programs offer a meaningful way to show appreciation and support.

The following article outlines notable companies and organizations that provide free items or full care packages to deployed military personnel. Each program is described in detail, including the type of items sent, how to request them, and any specific eligibility or logistical requirements.

Overview of Care Package Programs for Deployed Service Members

Care packages can be a powerful morale booster for deployed troops. They provide a tangible reminder of home and often include items that are not easily accessible in remote or overseas locations. While some packages are sent directly from individuals or families, others are facilitated by businesses and non-profit organizations.

One common feature among these programs is the emphasis on high-quality, non-perishable items that are both practical and comforting. Many programs also focus on sending items that promote well-being, such as coffee, snacks, hygiene products, and entertainment options like books or movie equipment.

Most of these initiatives are designed to be accessible to the public, allowing individuals to request items for a specific service member or to contribute to a larger group effort. Some require only the service member’s name, unit, and address, while others may involve email requests or online forms.

Care Packages and Free Items from Corporations

Several companies with a military-friendly ethos participate in programs that send free items or full care packages to deployed troops. These initiatives are often part of corporate social responsibility efforts or are driven by a genuine desire to support the armed forces.

Dunkin’ Donuts – Military Coffee Request

Dunkin’ Donuts has a long-standing tradition of supporting the military. Through its Military Coffee Request program, the company sends coffee to deployed service members. To participate, individuals must submit their service member’s information along with their own details. The company then enters the request into a lottery system. To make a request, users must visit the Dunkin’ Donuts website and select “military coffee request” from the drop-down menu.

SeaBear Wild Tuna – Treat the Troops

SeaBear Wild Tuna offers a program called Treat the Troops, which ships crates of wild-caught salmon in ready-to-eat packets. The shipments are designed to be shared among units, making them a communal and nutritious addition to a soldier’s rations. The program is particularly appreciated for its focus on high-quality, shelf-stable food that can be easily distributed.

Nuts.com – Care Packages for Deployed Troops

Nuts.com sends care packages to deployed troops and allows individuals to request that a specific service member receive one. To participate, individuals must email the company’s customer service department with the service member’s name and address. The company does not require any purchase or payment to participate in the program.

Naper Nuts and Sweets – Operation Caramel Corn

Naper Nuts and Sweets, a business located in Illinois, sends 1,000 bags of caramel corn each week to deployed troops through Operation Caramel Corn. The company allows individuals to request that a specific service member receive one of the bags. In addition to sending care packages, the company also encourages donations to the initiative.

Books a Million – Free Books for Deployed Troops

Books a Million offers a program that provides free books to deployed service members. These books are sent as a way to provide entertainment and a sense of normalcy during deployment. To get a service member on the list of recipients, interested individuals must visit the Books a Million website and follow the provided instructions.

Operation EBook Drop and Operation Paperback

Two separate initiatives, Operation EBook Drop and Operation Paperback, focus on providing literary materials to deployed service members. Operation EBook Drop is a Facebook page that maintains a running list of free ebooks available for download, including some specifically for military personnel. Operation Paperback works with book publishers to send physical books to troops.

Dogtags for Kids

This organization provides free engraved dog tags for service members in high-conflict areas. These dog tags are given to military personnel so they can mail them home to their children as mementos. The program is particularly meaningful for families of deployed troops, offering a tangible connection between parent and child during times of separation.

Non-Profit and Charity-Driven Programs

In addition to corporate initiatives, a number of non-profit and charity-driven programs also send care packages and free items to deployed service members. These organizations often rely on volunteers and donations to operate.

Operation Support Our Troops

Operation Support Our Troops is a 4-star rated non-profit on Charity Navigator that sends full care packages to deployed service members. The organization focuses on sending items that are not typically available in overseas PX/BX locations, such as hygiene products, snacks, and other comfort items. To request a package, individuals must submit the service member’s name, unit, and address through the organization’s online form.

Operation Chaps – Brats and BBQ

Operation Chaps provides care packages that include bratwurst, premium condiments, portable grills, and BBQ equipment. These packages are designed to be shared among units and are particularly appreciated after field exercises or training sessions. The program emphasizes the importance of communal meals and shared experiences in building morale.

Holy Smokes – Cigars and Morale-Boosting Items

The Holy Smokes program sends cigars and other morale-boosting items to deployed troops. The cigars are intended to be shared among units and are accompanied by a message of appreciation and gratitude. This initiative is particularly unique in its focus on providing a space for reflection and conversation, helping service members unwind after demanding tasks.

New Baby Kits

This program sends new baby kits to deployed service members who are about to return home. These kits include essential items for new parents, helping to ease the transition back to civilian life and reduce some of the financial burden associated with starting a new family.

The Soldiers Roast – Coffee and Community

The Soldiers Roast program focuses on promoting healthy relationships between service members and their families by providing premium coffee and roasting equipment. The coffee is roasted with soldiers and their families and can be enjoyed at home or sent overseas. The program also supports team-building and morale by encouraging shared experiences around coffee.

Roberto’s Movie Night and Ministry Kits

In response to the challenges posed by the closure of gyms and USO facilities during the pandemic, Roberto’s Movie Night and Ministry Kits provide portable movie equipment such as wireless projectors, movie screens, DVD players, and sound bars. These kits are designed to be used by chaplains or deployed service members to create a communal space for relaxation and connection.

Care Package Programs from Just Our Soldiers' Helpers (JOSH)

Just Our Soldiers’ Helpers (JOSH) is a non-profit organization that has been shipping care packages to deployed troops for several years. The organization focuses on providing high-quality snacks, food, and hygiene products that are not readily available in remote or overseas locations. JOSH ships to Chaplains and deployed service members who may not otherwise receive mail from home.

Originally scheduled to end operations by the end of 2024, JOSH has continued to ship packages on an as-needed basis until all funds are exhausted. The organization expects to complete its mission by December 2025. As JOSH winds down its operations, it is no longer hosting care package packing events. However, the organization has made its 2022 Annual Prospectus available for download, which is useful for corporations seeking to understand JOSH’s operations and financial structure.

Crown Royal’s Purple Bag Project

Crown Royal’s Purple Bag Project allows individuals to customize a military care package by selecting four of the most requested and needed items. Once the selection is made, Crown Royal sends the package overseas at no cost to the sender. The program is designed to be simple and efficient, allowing individuals to make a meaningful contribution with minimal effort.

How to Access and Participate in These Programs

Participating in these programs typically involves a few straightforward steps. Many programs require individuals to submit the service member’s name, unit, and address. Some may require an email request or an online form submission. It is important to note that some programs operate on a lottery system or are subject to availability, so requests may not always be fulfilled immediately.

In most cases, there is no cost to participate. However, some programs encourage donations or contributions to help sustain their efforts. Individuals who wish to contribute can often do so through the organization’s website or by making a direct donation.

Conclusion

Supporting deployed military members is a powerful way to show appreciation for their service and sacrifice. Through the efforts of corporations, non-profits, and charitable organizations, families and friends can send care packages or free items to deployed troops with relative ease. These programs provide not only practical support but also emotional comfort, reminding service members that they are not forgotten.

Whether through a cup of coffee, a book, or a shared meal, these small gestures can make a big difference in the lives of those who serve. As JOSH and other organizations continue their efforts, it is important for supporters to take advantage of these opportunities and contribute to the well-being of deployed service members.

Sources

1. 9 More Companies Send Free Stuff to Deployed Troops
2. Operation Deployed Packages
3. Just Our Soldiers’ Helpers
4. Crown Royal’s Purple Bag Project