PACKAGES FROM HOME

IN 2023, PACKAGES FROM HOME CONTINUED ITS MISSION OF SUPPORTING U.S. MILITARY MEMBERS DEPLOYED OR STATIONED OVERSEAS BY SENDING REQUESTED CARE PACKAGES VIA U.S. MAIL. THIS YEAR, WE SHIPPED 6,829 INDIVIDUAL CARE PACKAGES, EACH WEIGHING BETWEEN 4-8 POUNDS AND VALUED ON AVERAGE AT $120-$180. THESE PACKAGES COLLECTIVELY SERVED APPROXIMATELY 27,316 SERVICE MEMBERS IN REMOTE AND CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENTS, WHERE ITEMS ARE OFTEN SHARED AMONG THEIR UNITS, PROVIDING MUCH-NEEDED COMFORT AND CONNECTION TO HOME.TO FULFILL THESE REQUESTS, WE COLLECT BOTH IN-KIND AND MONETARY DONATIONS FROM OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS IN THE COMMUNITY. CARE PACKAGE REQUESTS ARE RECEIVED VIA OUR WEBSITE AND THEN COORDINATED THROUGH OUR INVENTORY SYSTEM, WHERE WE MANAGE THE DONATION INTAKE, PACKING, AND SHIPPING PROCESSES. FUNDS ARE USED TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR THE CARE PACKAGES AND TO COVER THE COSTS OF SHIPPING THE BOXES TO ENSURE THEY REACH THE SERVICE MEMBERS IN NEED.ACCORDING TO THE LATEST DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FORCE STRENGTH REPORT, THERE ARE CURRENTLY OVER 220,000 U.S. MILITARY MEMBERS SERVING IN OVER 176 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE, AN INCREASE OF OVER 50,000 PERSONNEL COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THIS INCREASE HAS CORRELATED WITH A RISE IN REQUESTS FOR CARE PACKAGES, HIGHLIGHTING THE GROWING NEED FOR OUR SERVICES AND THE ONGOING IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING THESE DEPLOYED TROOPS.IN ADDITION TO THE CARE PACKAGES, WE SUPPORTED UNACCOMPANIED AIRMEN AT LUKE AIR FORCE BASE THROUGH MONTHLY DINNERS, SERVING OVER 175 ACTIVE-DUTY PERSONNEL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THESE DINNERS PROVIDE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY FOR THOSE FAR FROM HOME. BOTH OUR CARE PACKAGES AND DINNERS ARE VITAL TO OUR MISSION OF BOOSTING MORALE AND ENSURING NO SERVICE MEMBER FEELS FORGOTTEN DURING THEIR SERVICE.

THROUGH OUR PACKAGES FOR HOPE PROGRAM, WE PROVIDED ESSENTIAL NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS, HYGIENE SUPPLIES, AND ENTERTAINMENT MATERIALS TO VETERAN-FOCUSED PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS AND DIRECTLY TO VETERANS AT RESOURCE FAIRS KNOWN AS STAND UPS OR STAND DOWNS. THIS INCLUDES BEING ONE OF THE LARGEST CONTRIBUTORS TO THE MARICOPA COUNTY STAND DOWN IN PHOENIX, AZ, THE LARGEST STAND DOWN EVENT IN THE UNITED STATES. IN 2023, WE DONATED 48,957.5 POUNDS OF SUPPLIES, SUPPORTING VETERANS WITH SNACK AND HYGIENE PACKS THAT WEIGHED APPROXIMATELY 1 POUND EACH.WE ALSO SHIP SUPPLIES TO VETERAN PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE NATION, ENSURING THAT VETERANS IN MULTIPLE REGIONS RECEIVE THE CARE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED.THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES OUR MILITARY TRAUMA SUPPORT GROUP (MTSG), WHERE WE HOSTED WEEKLY PEER-TO-PEER SUPPORT GROUPS FOR VETERANS. THESE GATHERINGS PROVIDED MUCH-NEEDED CAMARADERIE AND DINNER, FACILITATING THEIR TRANSITION FROM MILITARY TO CIVILIAN LIFE. IN 2023, MTSG SERVED 100 MEALS, AND VETERANS ATTENDING THESE GROUPS HAD ACCESS TO CARE PACKAGE ITEMS FROM OUR INVENTORY TO MEET THEIR PERSONAL NEEDS.ADDITIONALLY, WE PARTNERED WITH A GENEROUS DONOR TO OFFER 30 VETERANS ACCESS TO AN EXCLUSIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE BY DAVE GROHL, PROVIDING THEM WITH A UNIQUE AND MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE.