2023 TOP-RATED NON-PROFIT BY GREATNONPROFITS.ORG

Our Approved Shopping List

Giving our troops what they want, need, and love.

A little care and comfort

When military members are away from home, they often have limited access to the basic necessities of life. While they may have access to the essentials, such as food and shelter, they may not have access to things that many people take for granted, such as basic toiletries, snacks, or even a fresh pair of socks. 

These simple items may seem small, but they can make a big difference to someone who is far from home and feeling disconnected from their loved ones. Receiving care packages with these items can help to bridge the gap and remind military members that they are not alone, that people back home are thinking of them and appreciate their sacrifice.

approved list

We have created a list of approved items to help those who want to contribute sending the right items, as well as help our troops get what they need. Below, you’ll find a list of most requested items, most needed items, and items that are restricted.

Let’s send a little care and comfort to our troops!

We’ve made it easy for you to shop.

Simply select the items you wish to add to your care package. Then you can print your list by using the Print Your List button. Happy shopping! 

Foods
  • Beef jerky
  • Microwavable meals
  • Soups (no pork please)
  • Powdered single serve drink mixes
  • Protein and energy bars
  • Single serve nuts and snacks
Hygiene
  • Disposable razors
  • Dental supplies
  • Medicated foot powder
  • Gel deodorant
  • Packets of antibacterial hand wipes and unscented baby wipes
Entertainment
  • Coloring books
  • Word search books
  • Soduko and crossword puzzle books
  • Colored pencils and sharpener
  • Playing cards and card games
  • Small electronic games
Miscellaneous
  • Blank greeting cards
  • Pens
  • Stress balls
Most Needed Items
  • Gallon, Quart, Sandwich, and Snack Sized Ziploc Bags (to make care packages)
  • Hand written cards
  • Letters of encouragement for our troops
Snacks
  • Fruit snacks and fruit leather
  • Squeezable apple sauce
  • Small packages of nuts & seeds
  • Cookies
  • Pretzels
  • Chips (Pringle type containers best)
  • Crackers
  • Corn Nuts
  • Trail Mix
  • Nut bars
  • Energy bars
  • Protein bars
  • Breakfast & granola bars
  • Small cereal boxes (one serving)
  • Beef jerky
  • Instant oatmeal
  • Pop Tarts
  • Kraft Easy Mac
  • Condiment packets
  • Non-refrigerated microwavable meals
  • Instant soup (Lipton, Miso soup, etc.)
  • Cup a Noodles/noodle bowls
  • Sweetners: stevia, sugar, etc
Canned items
  • Canned meats (NO PORK)
  • Canned stews
  • Canned chili
  • Canned ravioli and spaghetti
  • Canned soups
  • Canned pop-top fruit
Candy
  • Individually wrapped hard candy (Twizzlers, Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Pops, Skittles, lollipops, Life Savers, Sweet Tarts, etc)
  • Chewing and bubble gum
  • Mints
  • Breath strips
  • Chocolate is accepted October – March
** No homemade items please.
Drinks
  • Powdered, sweetened drink mixes (Gatorade, Crystal Light, Kool-Aid)
  • Ground or instant coffee
  • Tea bags
  • Hot chocolate
  • Cider mix
  • Coffee Mate
Hygiene and Toiletries
  • Unscented bar soap
  • Hotel/travel-sized gel deodorant
  • Shampoo
  • Lotion
  • Toothpaste
  • Mouthwash
  • Toothbrushes
  • Dental floss
  • Lip balm
  • Q-Tips (Large packages are fine)
For Females
  • Hair bands
  • Clips
  • Bobby pins
  • Tampons
  • Maxi and mini pads
  • Oil-free face cleaner
  • Makeup remover
  • Nail kits (no nail polish or remover)
  • Mascara and makeup
Misc
  • Eye drops
  • Nose drops
  • Unscented baby wipes
  • Wet wipes
  • Sanitized wipes/hand sanitzer
  • Good quality razors and blades
  • Shaving gel and powder (NO AEROSOL CANS)
  • Small Kleenex Packets
  • Anti-fungal creams
  • Band Aids
  • Medicated foot powder
  • Sunscreen
  • Cotton calf length socks
Entertainment and Leisure
DVDs CDs Game consoles and games (even older models as long as you have the connectors) AAA and AA batteries Pens Pencils Blank greeting cards Stationary Stickers AT&T phone cards Dice Hand held games and puzzles Funny papers and crossword page from newspapers
Seasonal
Hand and foot warmers Gloves Sun glasses Neck coolers

Your Shopping List of Items

* Restricted Items

Please DO NOT donate or include the following items in care packages:

  • AEROSOL CANS: (shaving cream, deodorant, hair products, silly string, etc)
  • BATTERIES: recharging units, any battery packs.
  • BAR SOAP: The perfumes in scented bar soap ruin food items included in our boxes.
  • FOOD CONTAINING PORK: not allowed in Muslim countries, and our boxes containing pork items (SPAM, Vienna sausages, pork, and beans, etc.) may be returned or disposed of.
  • FLAMMABLE ITEMS: matches, lighters, candles, etc.

Note: Any items deemed unacceptable will be disposed of or donated at OCC’s discretion.

Download a printer-friendly list here

care package theme
toiletries
toiletries
care package items

You can contribute to support & appreciate our heroes.