Gift boxes help patrons spread holiday cheer

  • Published
  • By Kevin L. Robinson,
  • DeCA public affairs specialist
FORT LEE, Va. --  Commissaries are making the joy of giving much easier for customers who want to spread a little cheer to fellow service members and their families. The Defense Commissary Agency is stocking snack gift boxes in its stores just in time for the holiday season.

Gift boxes include popular single-serve fruit and nut mixes, cookies, crackers, and a macaroni and cheese cup. Each box also bears a coupon for $1.25 off the purchase price. They can be purchased ready to ship, donate, or simply deliver to any special person or military organization.

"We want our customers to put the commissary at the top of their holiday shopping list," said DeCA Director and CEO Philip E. Sakowitz Jr. "These snack boxes are a convenient way for our patrons to help put a smile on someone's face during the holidays."

Customers should look for the snack boxes on display pallets near the cash register under the sign: "Special Delivery For: The Serious Snacker." Military activities that want to be drop-off points for customer-donated gift boxes must seek approval from their installation officials in advance. Once approved, these organizations can set up collection bins or staff a booth at the front of commissaries.

The gift box program is a wonderful example of DeCA working with its industry partners for this holiday promotion for military commissaries, said Randy Chandler, DeCA's director of sales.

"These boxes are designed to help our customers show their appreciation for the military with a collection of top-selling snack items," he said. "We owe thanks to our industry partners for providing our customers another way to give the gift of groceries."

In addition to the gift boxes, commissaries are also offering gift vouchers in $25 denominations and redeemable by any commissary authorized shopper. Anyone, including those who are not authorized shoppers, can purchase the gift vouchers by visiting any commissary's customer service department.

There is no limit on the number of vouchers someone can purchase. But for large purchases of more than $1,000 in vouchers at a time, you must notify the store at least one week in advance. This allows commissaries to maintain enough vouchers for other customers.