Here is a list of suggested food gifts for U.S. armed service members who are overseas:

• Dried beef or poultry such as beef jerky, turkey jerky or beef slims are safe to mail. Bacteria can't grow in foods preserved by removing moisture.
•  
• Dehydrated soups and drink mixes are lightweight and safe to mail. Condiments such as hot sauce and Cajun seasonings in packets or unbreakable jars are useful for spice lovers.
•  
• Canned specialties such as corned beef, anchovies, shrimp, dips and cracker spreads make nice treats. Recipients should be cautioned not to use any cans that are damaged or swollen. Avoid mailing foods in glass containers because they can break.
•  
• Dense and dry baked goods such as fruitcakes and biscotti are good choices for mailing because they will not mold. Other suitable baked goods include commercially packaged cakes and cookies in airtight tins, dry cookies such as ginger snaps and specialty crackers.
• Dried fruits such as raisins and apricots, canned nuts and fruit, and commercially packaged trail mix are also good choices since they require no refrigeration.
•  
• Hard candies and sturdy homemade sweets such as pralines and toffee are safe to mail because their high sugar content prevents bacterial growth.

Source: Carol Schlitt, Extension Educator, Nutrition and Wellness

 

Send a phone card

http://www.militaryconnect.org/index.html

The Military Connect program provides prepaid calling cards to military personnel on active duty around the world. By purchasing a Military Connect card for a deserving soldier you not only help that individual but, local communities all around the U.S. as well. Military Connect will donate ten percent of the prepaid card price to the American Red Cross.

Looking for ideas on care packages

Please note -- all items need to be personal size
our troops carry over 100 pounds everyday of equipment.

Calling Cards (cannot purchase them over there)
Coffee bags (like Folgers coffee singles)
Lotion (skin is sooooooooo dry)
Tooth brushes and toothpaste
 Soap, wet ones, antibacterial hand cleaner
Lip Balm (their lips are cracking from environment)
AA Batteries ( whatever fits in any small electronics)
Envelopes (no place to purchase them)
 Razors 
Skin Cleanser (Good cleaning facial wipes, environment is nasty)
CANDY/SNACKS

Magazines, Bathing clothes, Hot Chocolate packs, Ramen Noodles, Coffee packets, Sweetened Kool aid Envelopes, Tuna packets, Crackers, Stationery, pencils/pens, Pocket Bible, Crossword-puzzle type books, Store-packaged goodies, Foot powder, Toothbrushes, and other non-liquid toiletry items.  Small sewing kits, Silly putty, Pocket size games, Tang, Juice boxes, Condiments packets from fast food restaurants, A big fluffy towel, This list could go on and on .. smiles ---

 

The following items may not be sent:

- Securities, currency or precious metals in their raw unmanufactured state.
- Obscene articles, prints, paintings, cards, film, horror comics.
- Material depicting nude or seminude persons, pornographic material.
- Mail containing religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith.
- Pork or pork by-products.
- Alcoholic beverages or materials used to produce alcoholic beverages (i.e.,    distilling material, hops, malts, yeast, etc.).
- Fruits, animals and living plants.
- Firearms of any type.

"Also, because of security risks, the U.S. Postal Service will no longer deliver mail addressed to ‘Any Serviceman,' so be sure there is a name and address on the package."

For service members stationed in Persian Gulf countries, pork, pork products and alcohol should be excluded since they are forbidden for religious reasons.

"High-moisture baked goods, such as pumpkin bread, should also not be sent due to their susceptibility to molds," advises Schlitt. "Fragile foods like delicate cookies probably won't make the trip intact, and products containing chocolate, like chocolate chip cookies, could melt in high temperatures."