Care Box

Yes pasta is good but you have other healthy things to pack along with some things from the Dollar stores that can be fun for the kids as well. Like peanuts, fruit rollups, hard candy (can get from dollar store), cereal in the round boxes (you can get 10 for $10 at most stores), trial sized shampoos and conditioners, deodorants, Rice Krispie Treats, plastic jelly/jam, peanut butter are some ideas. Hope this helps give you some things to think about.

C.,
You are a sweet person for thinking of your in-laws and their needs.
I think you are on the right track with pasta. Perhaps you could put in the box one or two of those packages of gourmet tomato sauce because it will ship easier than a jar (and will be a nice treat), some dry crunchy breadsticks, grated cheese, italian salad dressing, chocolate cake mix (or another dessert mix). You could add snacks of any kind that don't need refrigerated, like fishy crackers (the pretzel ones are good too), raisins, other dried fruits, etc.
Just get creative and try to think of what you would want if someone sent you a box! :)

care boxes.. what a wonderful ideal,but it sounds likeyou got your hands full as it is. if you are usually the one who
bails out the brothers lazy, then you might want to hold off
on doing anything for them just yet... especially if you
cant be certain that the money or items will go to the kids, and not in some adults pocket. why not call and talk to the
kids themselves, and ask do they need anything like clothes
or something like that,
K. h.

Maybe gift cards, like to a grocery store?

You are so incredibly thoughtful! What a very caring, nice idea. I'm sort of thinking out loud as I type this. Pasta is good, mac and cheese, tuna, nuts, peanut butter, jelly, maybe a treat for everyone (candy, chocolate, homemade cookies). Also, I just made a pumpkin bread that freezes, you could make that or banana bread, just wrap it well and it should last the trip. You said you don't have alot of cash, but gift cards to specific stores might be a nice treat for mom or kids--like Target. How about books or magazines? Cororing supplies or paints/paper for the kids. Nice soap/body wash for mom w/a nice scrubbie sponge. Or, drink mixes (lemonade mix, chocolate milk, hot chocolate). Popcorn. Good luck, you are a great person!

Hi.
I've used the flat rate boxes, and they do hold alot. There are a few things that you cannot ship through the post office - areosol cans, powder, liquids, etc. So I would double check usps.com before packing things up. There is also a website that I've used to send care packages. Its www.sendcare.com. You can choose one of their packages, they have many to fit all prices. You can specialize one, or you can just use their lists as a guide to creating your own.
M.

Hi C.- I'm so sorry about your family's situation. The unemployment rate in this country is rising and your family is a personal example of how devastating being out of work can be. You are so thoughtful to want to help. Maybe you should first ask each of the wives what their needs are. A pre-paid Giant card or something similar is always appreciated. They can use it for food, diapers, formula...etc Also, if they are affiliated with a Church or Synagogue, there are usually funds set aside to assist families in need. Explore other options in the community like food banks....etc. If they have very close friends who are employed, put your heads together and make a plan. The two with back injuries may be eligible for some type of compensation depending upon how they were injured. The one who you characterized as "lazy" should be told to go out and get a job...there is job counseling available.
I wish you good luck. D.

pick from the list: tuna, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, salmon, sardines, corned beef hash, pasta, Ramen noodles, oatmeal, Crystal light packs or Kool Aid or Country Time lemonade mix, cookies, canned vegetables, dry beans, rice, toilet paper, paper towels, soap, toothpaste, baking soda, and (depending on ages of children in the family) formula, diapers, wipes. If they're short on school supplies, you might be able to catch some sales here and get spiral notebooks, pencils, crayons, etc.

You are extremely sweet and sensitive to this situation among your family members. Bravo. But they may already be living on pasta as it is among the least expensive staples usually enjoyed by all ages, so I would chat with each wife and see what they would really love at this point. If food and daily items, a prepaid grocery card or CVS card may be an option (have they examined their eligibility for food stamps?) But depending on the age of the children, you may want to consider fun diversions and treats--something like DVDs and candy, either of which can be considered too expensive in tight times. Maybe a family dvd, a more adult thriller/mystery dvd for just the parents, and some twizzlers, a giant bag of M&Ms and microwave popcorn for 'movie night'? Halloween is coming---what about a collection of facepaint, fake eyelashes and teeth, (each a $1 at walmart) simple $1 black, silver or red masks and pumpkin carving utensils ($1 ea)with passes to a local corn maze or hayride that includes choice of pumpkin at the end? If you live nearby any of them you could offer babysitting for free and a night out for the parents...or maybe travel to your house (for wehich you provide a prepaid gasoline card) and staying for weekend of activities and all of YOUR great cooking. I am sure they will enjoy anything you devise, and your consideration will bring them the biggest smile. good luck to all of you and them-- these are indeed difficult times for so many.

Hi C. - you sound extremely busy in your own life, so it's very nice that you are taking time out to think of your sisters-in-law!! You can always go to the dollar store and throw in a few toy items for the kids- they would appreciate it and they probably don't get many luxuries these days - and the moms would really be thankful the pressure is not on her to do that - and it will keep the kids occupied...for a day any way. Other food items that are good are snacks - we are always running out of triscuits, salsa, etc...and kids always need snacks! You can also view some ideas in online gift baskets - they have lots of summer sausages and cheese gift baskets that would be easy to make yourself. They have items like dried fruit and nuts, chocolate, etc (maybe chocolate is not that practical, but it's so yummy!). Nuts are excellent though - good protein and easy to eat and pack. I buy big bags of almonds that I use to refill a little candy dish on my counter so it is a healthier alternative to snacking on candy. Also - toiletry items would be very useful, such as: toothpaste, 2-n-1 shampoo/conditioner, new tooth brushes for each child (very easy to slip in a package), lotion, wet wipes, etc....we all need cleaning products and bathroom items! You can get many of these things at the dollar tree as well, since you are on a budget also!! Hope this helps!! Let us know what you decide to do...

Angel Food Ministries is a low cost food source around the country. You can pay online for a weeks worth of food for a family of four. Locally here it is only $33. You could pay online and have them pick it up nearby from a sponsering church. The menu for the month is on line too. I just mailed something to my neice and paid $12 for the slowboat mail. This might be an easier solution for you.

www.angelfoodministries.com

Hope this helps.

Not exactly the same thing but my sis just sent my son in the USAF, who is stationed in Okinawa, a box with a new movie, a bag of chips and a jar of cheese dip! She called it a "movie night". It was really appreciated.

I would suggest a grocery store gift card.