Sending Free Samples And Care Packages To Military Troops Overseas A Guide For Civilians

Many Americans wish to support military personnel deployed overseas, and one meaningful way to do this is by sending care packages containing free samples and useful items. Care packages provide troops with comforts of home and essential supplies during their service. Various companies, organizations, and methods exist for civilians to send these packages, even if they don't personally know a service member. This guide explores how to send free samples to military bases through established programs, partnerships with companies, and nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting troops.

Understanding Military Care Packages

Care packages for military troops serve multiple purposes. They provide practical items that service members may need or want, offer a taste of home, and demonstrate the appreciation and support of Americans for their service. According to the source materials, appropriate items for care packages should be lightweight, non-perishable, and unlikely to spill or break during transportation.

The source materials emphasize that care packages should not overload supply and mail lines, which is an important consideration when planning to send items to military bases. Items should be carefully selected to maximize utility while minimizing weight and space requirements.

Coffee is highlighted as one of the best items to include in military care packages. The source materials note that military personnel commonly enjoy coffee due to long duty hours during deployments. Coffee plays a crucial role in the field, and many coffee-focused brands offer products suitable for care packages. Various flavors are recommended, including French vanilla, espresso, pecan, ultra-caffeinated, cinnamon, black, and French roast. Additionally, coffee filters for different makers, and when possible, whole-bean coffee with grinders can be included to provide freshly brewed coffee, which can create a memorable experience for troops.

Books and reading materials are also highly valued by service members. Many military members enjoy novels, recent magazines, comics, and puzzle or game books during downtime. The source materials recommend paperbacks over hardcovers due to weight considerations and suggest obtaining books through various means, including personal collections after reading, social media calls for contributions, local libraries clearing out books, and secondhand stores. Magazines are particularly helpful as they keep service members updated on global events and may provide comfort on specific issues.

Companies That Provide Free Samples for Troops

Several companies have programs to provide free samples or products to deployed troops, either through direct donations or partnerships with military support organizations.

Dunkin' Donuts participates in supporting troops by sending coffee to deployed service members. According to the source materials, by submitting the name of a deployed troop, Dunkin' Donuts will surprise some with a case of their Original Blend coffee. This program allows civilians to nominate specific service members to receive these coffee packages.

Hershey has partnered with the USO to include free chocolate in care packages for troops. However, the source materials note that Hershey no longer sends care packages directly to each soldier. Instead, they focus on providing candies that have a lower chance of breaking during shipping, such as M&Ms. Civilians can still support this partnership by sending notes to troops through the USO.

SeaBear Wild Salmon operates a program called "Treat the Troops" where they send cases of ready-to-eat salmon to deployed troops. Civilians can nominate a service member on their website to receive a box containing 60 pouches of salmon. The company matches donations 100%, meaning for every pouch purchased for donation, SeaBear adds another pouch. This matching program applies regardless of the quantity purchased, whether 5 or 30 pouches.

Operation Caramel Corn, offered by Naper Nuts and Sweets, provides bags of caramel corn for U.S. military personnel serving overseas. To participate, civilians can call the company at (630) 355-5330 with their loved one's information. The company's website also lists needed items, allowing for additional donations to support their efforts.

Books for Soldiers is a nonprofit corporation that collects used books and sends them to deployed troops. Founded by Storm Bear Williams, this organization allows soldiers to request books, video games, DVDs, and other items for free on their website. This program provides a way for civilians to recycle books they've already read while supporting troops' entertainment and educational needs.

Organizations That Facilitate Sending Care Packages

Numerous nonprofit organizations facilitate the process of sending care packages to military troops. These organizations vary in their approach, with some accepting donations to purchase items, others coordinating volunteer packing events, and some allowing direct requests for specific service members.

The USO offers deployed troops free food and hygiene care package kits. These pouches feature a M.O.L.L.E. mechanism for simple attachment to military equipment. An authorized unit representative can fill out a form to request this service. The USO also partners with companies like Hershey to include specific items in their care packages.

Operation Gratitude is a nonprofit group that gives more than 300,000 free care packages annually to service members, first responders, injured heroes, and caregivers. They organize collecting drives, letter-writing campaigns, and care package packing events to maximize their impact. Civilians can contribute to their efforts through donations or by participating in their events.

Operation Shoebox is a nonprofit organization that sends troops supplies such as shoes to keep their feet warm, magazines for reading during downtime, snacks, and personal care items. The organization ships between 800-1,000 care packages each week. When civilians make tax-deductible donations, 100% of the funds go directly to shipping costs and care package supplies.

Soldiers' Angels provides deployed troops with a range of care packages, cards, and assistance. Their Angel Bakers program delivers freshly baked sweets to service members overseas. This organization coordinates various support initiatives for military personnel and their families.

Move America Forward is a nonprofit military charity dedicated to supporting members of the Armed Forces. They provide care packages and letters from grateful Americans to troops worldwide. Civilians can request a care package through their organization or make donations to support their efforts.

Troopster.org helps military personnel by sending them care packages with food and other items. The organization offers packages for various branches of service and deployment scenarios. When Troopster.org receives donations, they distribute care packages at no cost. Each year, their volunteer packing events prepare numerous boxes for shipment overseas to military units in need. Civilians can learn more about donating, volunteering, or ordering a care package for a specific service member through their website.

Operation We Care is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting military personnel and first responders. They accept donations and send donated products to troops. Their website includes a list of most needed items as well as wish lists created by troops themselves, allowing civilians to provide exactly what service members have requested.

How to Approach Brands for Free Samples

The source materials suggest that civilians can approach coffee brands directly to obtain free samples for distribution to troops overseas. However, this approach requires careful planning and a compelling pitch. Coffee brands are frequently approached about providing samples to troops, often multiple times per month, so the quality of the pitch significantly influences the likelihood of receiving free samples.

When approaching companies for free samples, the source materials recommend having a clear plan for distribution and being prepared to demonstrate how the samples will benefit troops. It's also important to maintain a professional and respectful approach, recognizing that companies receive numerous requests for donations.

For coffee samples specifically, the source materials suggest offering a variety of flavors to ensure all preferences are accommodated. French vanilla, espresso, pecan, ultra-caffeinated, cinnamon, black, and French roast are mentioned as popular choices. Including coffee filters for different makers and, when possible, whole-bean coffee with grinders can enhance the value of the samples provided to troops.

What to Include in Care Packages

Based on the source materials, several categories of items are particularly appreciated in care packages for military troops:

Food and beverages: - Coffee in various flavors, along with filters and, if possible, whole-bean coffee with grinders - Lightweight snacks that won't perish or spoil - Ready-to-eat items like salmon pouches from SeaBear - Caramel corn from Naper Nuts and Sweets - Chocolate and candies that are less likely to break during shipping, such as M&Ms

Reading materials: - Paperbacks (preferred over hardcovers due to weight) - Recent magazines to keep troops informed about current events - Comics and graphic novels - Puzzle or game books for entertainment - Video games and DVDs (through Books for Soldiers)

Personal care items: - Hygiene products - Items to help troops stay comfortable in various climates - Practical items for daily use

The source materials emphasize that items should be carefully selected to ensure they won't perish, spill, or break during transportation. Additionally, packages should not be overloaded to avoid contributing to supply and mail line congestion.

Finding Service Members to Support

For civilians who wish to send care packages but don't personally know a service member, several organizations facilitate connections with troops who need support. The source materials caution against searching for troops to support through general online channels, noting the presence of scam artists pretending to be U.S. service members.

Instead, the source materials recommend using vetted organizations that have been recommended by the Department of Defense. These organizations provide various methods for supporting troops, including:

• Allowing civilians to donate funds that organizations use to purchase and distribute care packages
• Providing opportunities to request care packages for specific service members
• Organizing programs where civilians can pack and send personalized care packages
• Facilitating letter-writing campaigns to boost troops' morale

When selecting an organization to work with, the source materials suggest looking for those with recognized accreditations such as Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), Better Business Bureau (BBB), Charity Navigator (CN), or GuideStar (GS) verification. These accreditations indicate that the organization has been vetted for accountability and transparency in their operations.

Conclusion

Sending free samples and care packages to military troops overseas is a meaningful way for civilians to show appreciation for service members' sacrifices and contributions. Various companies offer specific programs to provide troops with free products, including coffee from Dunkin' Donuts, chocolate through the USO partnership, salmon from SeaBear, caramel corn from Naper Nuts and Sweets, and books through Books for Soldiers.

Numerous nonprofit organizations facilitate the process of sending care packages, including the USO, Operation Gratitude, Operation Shoebox, Soldiers' Angels, Move America Forward, Troopster.org, and Operation We Care. These organizations offer different approaches to supporting troops, from accepting donations to coordinating volunteer packing events.

When preparing care packages, the source materials recommend focusing on lightweight, non-perishable items that won't spill or break during transportation. Coffee, books, magazines, snacks, and personal care items are consistently highlighted as appropriate and appreciated contents. For those looking to include free samples from brands, approaching companies with a well-prepared pitch and clear distribution plan increases the likelihood of receiving donations.

For civilians who don't personally know a service member, vetted organizations provide reliable channels for supporting troops. By working with these recognized organizations, civilians can ensure their contributions reach deserving military personnel while avoiding potential scams.

Sources

1. How to Send Care Packages to Troops Overseas
2. Companies That Will Send Free Stuff to Deployed Troops
3. Online Care Package Program