Below are some items that have been recently requested by our U.S. troops overseas. As the 66,000 troops currently in Afghanistan work towards a withdrawal by December 2014, we are hearing that living conditions are creating a greater need for care packages. While combat fighting is being transitioned to Afghan troops, many base facilities and equipment are being packed up and shipped home, PX / BX shelf space is being reduced, dining room contractors are being let go, non-military restaurants and food vendors are being shut down.
Hot meals are being transitioned to 1 or 2 a day, with MRE's or Unitized Group Rations to fill in for the remainder of the meals. A Stars and Stripes publication article on April 2, 2013 states, "The hot food reductions are part of a larger plan to return to so-called expeditionary standards, meaning a return to conditions more akin to those during the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001."
So we continue to send care packages overseas, and welcome any opportunities to work with you in supporting the troops. Below is not a comprehensive list of needs. The items listed are just specific items that have been requested recently.
FOOD PRODUCTS:
Coffee (Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Folgers, Community, etc.)
Chips (Lays Stax, Pringles)
Shoestring Potatoes (Pik-Nik)
Energy, protein, breakfast, granola bars (Cliff, Snickers, Syntha-6, etc.)
Corn nuts, peanuts, nuts
Sunflower Seeds (SunOpta, David, etc.)
Fruit snacks, fruit leather (SunOpta, Stretch Island, etc.)
Gardettos
Drink mixes (Zipfizz, Gatorade, Country Time, Crystal Light)
Stews, chili, soups, ravioli - not requiring can opener (Chef Boyardee, etc.)
Beef Jerky (Jack Links, Slim Jim, Oberto, Pemmican, etc.)
Shelf-stable microwavable meals (Hormel Compleats)
Kraft Easy Mac, Mac'n'Cheese
Riviana Ready to Serve Rice
Ramen, Cup a Noodles (Nissin, Maruchan)
Canned meats (Armour, Libby, Hormel, etc.)
Tuna - foiled, canned (Bumble Bee, StarKist)
Seasonings (to cook foods bought in Afghan markets)
Health food snacks
Instant breakfast drinks, protein drinks (Carnation, Boost)
Gum, Hard Candy
Coffee Keurig Cups, Coffee Creamer
Pop Tarts (Kellogg's)
Oatmeal
Crackers (Lance, Ritz, Cheeze-It, Keebler)
Vitamins
TOILETRIES:
Deodorant
Anti-fungal creams
Band Aids
Foot powder, baby powder (Gold Bond, Dr. Scholls, etc.)
Sunscreen, Suntan products
Lip Balm (Blistex, Chapstick, Carmex, etc.)
Lotions
Feminine products
Shampoo, Conditioner, Body wash
Toothpaste
Insect spray
Razors - Gillette, BIC, Shick
Shave Cream - non-aerosol (Jack Black, Edge, Remington )
OTHER ITEMS REQUESTED FOR DONATIONS:
DVD's, CD's
Game consoles and games (XBox360, PS2)
Batteries (AA, AAA especially)
Ziploc bags (quart, gallon & snack size)
Air fresheners
Baby wipes (Huggies, Pampers)
Feminine products
Socks - plain white or green boot.
Gloves, black
Headlamps, LED flashlights
