During the Grand Opening Celebration for our new Chattanooga location on October 7, we will be collecting donations for care packages on behalf of Friends of the Troops. Friends of the Troops is a Chattanooga-based nonprofit that supports deployed and stateside service members (and veterans!) by sending them cards and care packages. See below for a list of most-needed items for these care packages.
Snacks – MOST NEEDED
- Beef jerky, turkey jerky, or beef sticks (Duke’s or Jack’s Links)
- Powdered or liquid drink mixes for bottled water (Mio, Crystal Light, Propel, Gatorade, etc.)
- Candy (chocolate and gummy candies are high-demand items)
- Nuts & sunflower seeds
- Trail mix
- Granola bars or Nutri-Grain bars
- Protein bars (Powerbar, Larabar, Clif, Kind Bars, Pure Protein, etc.)
- Dried fruit
- Cheese crackers or peanut butter crackers
- Single-serve peanut butter cups (Jif-to-Go)
- Packaged, sealed cookies
- Rice Krispie Treats (prepackaged, not homemade)
- Pringles or Lay’s Stax potato chips
- Fruit snacks (Welch’s Fruit Snacks, Fruit Roll-Ups, Gushers)
- Gum and Mints
- Pop Tarts
- Tuna & cracker lunch kits
- Chicken salad lunch kits
- Tuna in pouches (Also salmon, etc.)
- Pre-packaged and sealed baked goods (Little Debbie Snack Cakes, Tastykakes, Mini Muffins, etc.)
- Microwavable Meals (mac & cheese cups, Hormel microwavable meals, etc.)
Hygiene & Personal Care Items – Full or Travel Size
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Body lotion
- Hand cream
- Foot cream
- Foot powder
- Sunscreen
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Bath loofah
- Feminine hygiene products (tampons or panty liners)
- Lip balm (squeeze tubes are best)
- Shower gel or body wash
- Good quality razors (minimum twin blades)
- Non-aerosol shaving gel
- Comb or hairbrush
- Cough or throat drops
- Non-alcohol hand sanitizers
- Eye drops
- Muscle relief gels or rubs (Icy Hot or similar)
- Nail files and/or nail clippers
- Fuzzy socks
- Mascara
- Baby or hand wipes
- Ponytail holders
- Moleskin for foot care
- Aloe gel
- Face sheet masks for women
Other Helpful Items
- Socks (brown or black)
- Twin bed sheets (size Twin XL)
- Pillowcases
- Pillows
- Blankets
- Gloves & scarves (winter months)
- Hand Warmers (winter months)
- Clorox or other cleaning wipes
- Towels & washcloths
- Gel-type cone air fresheners (no sprays)
- Laundry detergent pods
- Dryer sheets
- Gel inserts for shoes
“Just for Fun” Items
- Playing cards or other card games (Uno, Phase 10, etc.)
- Puzzle books (crossword, word search, etc.)
- Toys (dollar store-type toys)
- Magazines (sports, health, etc.)
- Novelty toys and silly things to make them smile (Silly Putty, Fart Slime, Whoopee Cushions, etc.)
- Stationary, paper tablets, packs of pens
- Adult coloring books with colored pencils or gel pens (pencil sharpeners, if needed)
- Frisbee
- Nerf football (small size)
- Over-the-door basketball hoop set
- Holiday decorations or other seasonal items
We CANNOT accept any of the following items…
- Homemade food items – All cookies and food sent to service members must be store-bought, pre-packaged, and factory-sealed to withstand the long transit times and to protect our troops. Our troops are often instructed to toss any homemade food items received.
- Anything containing alcohol or acetone products (including hand sanitizers)
- Anything in aerosol packaging (shaving gel/creams must be non-aerosol)
- Anything in glass containers
- Firearms, weapons, money, or political materials
- Anything flammable or hazardous in nature
- Anything past its expiration date – Our troops deserve the very best.
