The DECA club is sponsoring the “Baskets for Soldiers” all of September and will conclude at the end of the month on Monday, September 29.

“We chose this event because I, and a lot of DECA members, have family and friends in the military,” DECA sponsor Mallory Cromer said.

In the military, a soldier is allotted MREs (meals ready to eat) which will include basic food for nutrition value. “Stuff like peanut butter, applesauce, your proteins,” Cromer said.

Cromer explains that these food packs lack things that are not necessary, but would be nice.

“They’re not getting anything like Debbie Cakes or Pringles. They’re aren’t any sweets,” Cromer said. The list of items to bring in for the baskets not only include snack cakes and chips, but also some bare essentials. Shampoo, conditioner, lotion (fragrance free), and deodorant are just a few.

“You [a soldier] can ask for these things to be sent to you, but it can take like three weeks,” Cromer said.

‘Thank you’ cards that say that they are from Harrisonburg High School will be added into the baskets as well. After the cut off date, the DECA club will be packaging and sending off the basket themselves. The DECA club also asks for students and administration not to bring in anything in glass containers or that will melt.