1.9 M serve in our military and over half never get a care package.

The great thing about hosting a military care package event is that they are flexible! They can be as big or small as you like, and they can fit any budget.

Consider how many packing volunteers you’ll have, the space you have for packing, and your budget.

Pick a dependable person to be accountable for gathering everything that’s needed and coordinating the event. This role is great for your natural leaders.

You’ll need:

1. Funds for shipping - estimate $10 to $20 per box depending on the location you’re shipping from
2. Boxes - free to a couple dollars a box depending on size
3. Items to pack - free to $25 per box
4. Clear packing tape – free to $3.50 a roll
5. Craft supplies and pens – optional, if you decide to decorate the boxes.

Tip - You can cut costs and budget by having people pitch in to donate items to ship or dollars for shipping. USPS also offers free boxes, but some can cost more to ship than just using brown boxes. Brown boxes can also be donated by suppliers, vendors, or community businesses.

Our team is happy to help you find your most economical way to ship and answer any questions.

Location will depend upon the resources you have available.

Here are some ideas for places to pack:

• Conference room or common space
• Cafeteria
• Local high school or community center
• A local business or restaurant
• A local American Legion or VFW Post
• A park pavilion

You’ll just need to make sure that there is space to set out tables to put the products on you’ll be sending and for taping, packing, and labeling your boxes.

The other thing to consider is whether you’ll be dropping packages off at the post office or scheduling a pick up. If you want to have the post office pick up the boxes there will need to be a place to put them until they come. The location must have a postal address; for example, a business, American Legion, VFP Post, etc. where they can be safely stored and accessible for pick up.

Consider how many packing volunteers you’ll have, the space you have for packing, and your budget.

Have a couple dates in mind just incase the space is already booked.

You can cover the costs for shipping or raise funds to help.

If you are raising funds you will want to start right away. Your options will vary depending on the size of your event, timing, and who you are.

Here are some fundraising ideas to give you a head start:

1. Host a hat day – Participants donate $ and wear a hat (this works great in schools and business)
2. Pack groceries at a local market for monetary donations (you can also share a donation list so shoppers can donate items too)
3. Create a Go Fund Me
4. Partner with a business who would donate a portion of sales for a given day
5. Partner with vendors, suppliers, or nonprofits who would be interested in helping out
6. For businesses, allow your employees to donate a day of vacation pay

If you decide to purchase items include that in your budget. Consider delivery timing if ordering online. You’ll also need a place to store the items until packing day.

If you decide to collect donations identify high traffic areas to put donation boxes. You can also partner with others who are willing to put donation boxes out in your community (grocery stores, banks, local retailers, etc.).

See if your connections know someone you can send to.

The ShipThrifty tools allow you to create a custom-branded care package request form. This is a secure form you can share with others or via social media to collect addresses for care packages. When the addresses are submitted, they will automatically load to your ShipThrifty address book, so you don't have to do any data entry. Yay!

Create a free ShipThrifty account

Then follow these steps to custom brand your care package request form

There are many different items that service members appreciate and love!

Think snacks, drink mix flavorings, hygiene items, games, coloring books, colored pencils, even notebooks and pens for writing.

Learn more about items to send and restrictions.

Download the Military Care Package Donation List

Get the word out. Tell people about the event so they can get excited and get involved.

• Let people know the dates you are collecting items and when you are packing boxes
• Put an announcement out
• Send an email communication
• Put posters up
• Let people know you’ll be looking for volunteers on packing day (start a sign up sheet)