Care Package Items

www.Operation ShoeBox.Com — Care Package ItemsItems in bold are ones that we send to troops in our care packages.  Other items are frequently requested by the troops and may be sent by individuals in their packages.
CANDY

  • Candy (heat resistant)
  • Fruit Breezes (throat drops)
  • Twizzlers

CORRESPONDENCE

  • Writing Paper and Envelopes
  • Pens/Pencils

DENTAL

  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Mouthwash

DRINK

  • Coffee (instant)
  • Coffee Creamer
  • Gatorade
  • Powdered Drink Mixes
  • Tea Mixes (sweet)
  • KoolAid bursts- to freeze

FOOD (including dry goods, snacks)

  • Oatmeal (instant)
  • Ramen Noodles-any flavor
  • Bars (Clif or Balance)
  • Beef Jerky
  • Girl Scout Cookies
  • Granola Bars
  • Pop-Tarts
  • Canned Fruit (pop top cans)
  • Cereal (in small boxes)
  • Gum
  • Sugar packets
  • Ravioli (pop top cans)
  • Tuna Kits

GAMES

  • Playing Cards
  • Board Games
  • Checkers (travel size)
  • Chess (travel size)
  • Crossword Puzzles

MUSIC

  • CD Fanny Packs
  • CDs
  • Tapes
  • DVDs new and used
  • Hand held electronic games
  • Sodoku books

 

 PRINTED MATERIALS

  • Books (novels, short stories)
  • Newspapers (local)
  • Magazines

TOILETRIES/HYGIENE

  • Baby Wipes
  • Femine Hygiene Products (for female soldiers)
  • Travel size body wash
  • Nose spray
  • Eye Drops
  • Deodorant
  • Foot Powder
  • Hairbrushes
  • Hand Lotion
  • Hand Sanitizers (waterless)
  • Nail Clippers
  • Q-Tips
  • Razors (disposable)
  • Shampoo
  • Sunscreen
  • Tissues (heavy duty – i.e. Puffs)
  • Tylenol (individual packets)

Other

  • Plastic spoons
  • American Flags (small)
  • Baggies (with zip lock)
  • Batteries (AA, D, ….)
  • Bug Spray (must be packaged in zip-lock bag)
  • Duct Tape
  • Disposable Cameras
  • Flashlights (mini/mag lite, extra bulbs, lots of batteries)
  • Fans (battery powered – small – with extra batteries)
  • Fly Strips
  • Fly Swatters
  • Pre-Paid Phone Cards
  • Shoe Insole Cushion
  • Socks (cushioned white calf high)

Seasonal

  • Canned turkey and Thanksgiving food items
  • Small unbreakable holiday decorations
  • Christmas stockings
Notes:

  • Post cards are also great to send in the packages. You can pre-address the postcard to yourself or your organization with a note asking the service member to please let you know if they received the package.
  • You DO NOT have to put a stamp on the post cards — the service member can mail them for free back to the states.
  • The U.S. Postal Service offers FREE boxes for Priority Mail. You can also order free boxes from the USPS online store (for use with Priority Mail shipping only). The Recommended size is the #4 or #7 box.
    Or call 1-800-222-1811.
  • Wrap items well when packing soap/toiletries in the same package as food items. In warm weather, it’s best not to include these in the same package!

For Check and Money Order donations:
Operation Shoebox
PO Box 1465
Belleview, FL 34421-1465

To donate items to ship you can mail them to us at:
Operation Shoebox
PO Box 1465
Belleview, FL 34421-1465

or for Fed EX, UPS
Please call us at 352-307-6723 for the address.