Gift boxes make holiday giving easy Published Nov. 25, 2008 By Kevin L. Robinson DeCA public affairs specialist FORT LEE, Va. -- Commissary customers who want to help members of their community in need or donate to their favorite charity have an option at the McGuire commissary. The Defense Commissary Agency is stocking pre-made holiday gift boxes containing products including stuffing mix, coffee, mixed nuts, gelatin, macaroni and cheese, a cheesecake mix, and a special $3 coupon good for a future purchase. The gift box program was born from an idea by DeCA East Deputy Director Robert Vitikacs to sculpt a commercial store concept into a one-time promotion special for military commissaries in the United States, said Rick Page, DeCA's chief operating officer. "We recognize that at this time of year our customers want to help those in their communities who are less fortunate," Mr. Page said. "These gift boxes are a convenient way for our authorized customers to give during the holidays." Stateside stores have already started displaying pallets of gift boxes, situated near the cash register for customer convenience. Once customers purchase the boxes, they can take them home or donate them to a military activity, such as the base Chaplain's Fund, which has arranged with the commissary to accept the gifts. The product mix bears the advantage of having a long shelf life while helping to make the holidays a bit more enjoyable for those who receive the gift boxes, said Charlie Dowlen, promotions manager for DeCA's sales directorate. But he advised customers not to wait to purchase their boxes. "Once a store's supply is exhausted there will not be a resupply," he said, "This is a special one-time buy for DeCA, and we owe thanks to our industry partners for helping our customers simplify their holiday giving."