Free Support Programs For Military Families Care Packages And Comfort Items

Military families face unique challenges when service members are deployed, often requiring additional support and resources. Many organizations and companies have established programs to provide free care packages, comfort items, and resources to military personnel and their families. This article examines the various programs available for sending free items to deployed troops and supporting military families at home, based on verified information from official sources.

Organizations Sending Care Packages to Deployed Troops

Several non-profit organizations specialize in sending care packages to deployed military personnel. These organizations provide structured ways for individuals to contribute to the well-being of troops, even if they don't personally know someone serving.

Crown Royal's Purple Bag Project offers a straightforward approach to supporting troops. Participants can select four of the troops' most requested and needed items, and the company will send the package overseas free of charge. The program operates in partnership with military support organizations to ensure items reach deployed personnel efficiently.

Operation We Care is an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to supporting military personnel and first responders. They accept donations as well as send donated products to troops. Their website provides a list of most needed items and wish lists created by troops, ensuring that donations align with actual requirements.

Operation Shoebox focuses on sending essential supplies to troops, including shoes to keep their feet warm, magazines for entertainment, snacks, and personal care items. The organization ships between 800-1,000 care packages weekly. Notably, 100% of tax-deductible donations go directly to shipping costs and care package supplies.

For those specifically interested in sending food items, SeaBear's Treat the Troops program offers ready-to-eat salmon to deployed service members. Individuals can nominate a service member to receive a box of 60 pouches. For every pouch purchased for donation, SeaBear matches it 100% by adding another pouch, effectively doubling the impact of each donation.

Free Resources for Military Families with Children

Military families with children face particular challenges during deployments, with children experiencing emotional stress and separation anxiety. Several programs provide free resources specifically designed to help children cope with a parent's deployment.

Military OneSource offers free deployment board books to help young children cope with the departure and homecoming of a parent. Available titles include "Over There" (in both Daddy and Mommy versions) and "I'm Here for You Now," which features pages with windows to insert personal photos. These resources help children visualize and understand their parent's deployment.

The Brat Town Bugle TM provides a creative way for children to stay connected with deployed parents. Kids can create a newspaper of pictures and stories to send to their loved one, who can then read about what's happening at home. This communication tool helps bridge the distance between deployed parents and their children.

Operation Gratitude provides special stuffed toys known as Battalion Buddies to the children of U.S. military personnel as their units prepare to deploy. These comfort items are distributed through Family Readiness Officers and Battalion leaders nationwide. Military commands can contact Operation Gratitude directly to arrange shipments for children in deploying units.

The Armed Services YMCA's Operation Kid Comfort program creates custom-made photo transfer quilts and pillows to help children cope with the emotional stress of deployment. Each child receives either a quilt or pillow—children 7 and under receive quilts, while those 8 and older receive pillows. These handcrafted items are created by volunteers at branch locations across the country.

Additionally, participating YMCAs offer respite childcare for military families, providing care in a safe environment while parents handle errands, attend classes, or simply take time for themselves.

Companies Supporting Deployed Troops

Several companies, many of which are veteran-owned or veteran-run, have established programs to send free products to deployed troops. These initiatives demonstrate corporate support for military personnel and provide troops with comfort items from home.

Dunkin' Donuts supports deployed troops by sending cases of their Original Blend coffee. By submitting the name of a deployed troop, individuals can have the company surprise service members with coffee, bringing a taste of home to those serving overseas.

Move America Forward is another organization that supports troops through various donation programs, though specific details about their offerings require direct consultation through their official channels.

Our Military Kids provides activity grants for children of National Guard and Reserve families. These grants help pay for children's activities such as sports and music lessons. The organization sends special "Top Secret" packets to children within days of receiving applications, acknowledging their family's service to the country. Checks are sent directly to specified activity providers.

Additional Support for Military Families

Military Families Ministry offers several specialized support programs for military families. They provide prayer patches, shawls, and dish cloths to deployed service members and their families, distributed through Unit Family Readiness Groups (FRGs). These items serve as tangible reminders of community support during deployment.

The organization also offers free baby blankets and quilts to expectant mothers whose husbands are deployed, distributed through family readiness groups. Additionally, The Carrying On Project provides free baby carriers to military families, recognizing that baby-wearing helps maintain secure attachments between children and caregivers during challenging times of deployment.

For educational resources, Military Families Ministry maintains extensive lists of books for military children going through deployment, with over 100 titles available. They also offer a customizable, free book that can be saved and printed, with versions for both "Daddy is in the Military" and "Mommy is in the Military" scenarios.

The ministry also provides free coloring pages and activity sheets designed specifically for military children, helping them stay connected with deployed parents and cope during a parent's absence.

How to Get Involved

For individuals interested in supporting military personnel and their families, the source materials recommend several approaches:

1. Research vetted organizations through resources like the Department of Defense's recommended list, which includes organizations vetted by the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), Better Business Bureau (BBB), Charity Navigator (CN), and GuideStar (GS).

2. Visit Operation We Are Here for a comprehensive listing of family support organizations that send care packages to deployed military personnel.

3. When donating to care package organizations, focus on most requested items and wish lists to ensure contributions meet actual needs.

4. For military families seeking resources, contact Military OneSource for deployment-related materials and support services.

5. Commands and family readiness officers can directly contact organizations like Operation Gratitude to arrange bulk distributions of comfort items like Battalion Buddies.

Conclusion

While sending free samples directly to military clinics isn't specifically addressed in the provided materials, numerous organizations and companies offer structured programs to provide care packages, comfort items, and resources to deployed military personnel and their families. These programs ensure that troops receive needed items while families at home have access to resources that help them cope with deployment challenges. Organizations like Crown Royal's Purple Bag Project, Operation Shoebox, and SeaBear's Treat the Troops make it possible for individuals to contribute to the well-being of service members. Meanwhile, programs like Military OneSource's deployment board books, Operation Kid Comfort's photo quilts, and The Carrying On Project's baby carriers provide specialized support for military families with children. For those interested in supporting military personnel, vetted organizations offer reliable channels for contributions, while military families can access various free resources through official programs.

Sources

1. Crown Royal Purple Bag Project
2. Operation We Are Here Family Support Organizations
3. Companies Sending Free Stuff to Deployed Troops
4. Military.com Online Care Package Program