When I went off to PS, it was against parental wishes, so I got no mail or care packages during the summer (it's okay, I didn't expect to). There were a handful of others in my PS platoon (= Ac year company mates) who didn't have parents, or had really really poor parents, or had similar difficult circumstances, or were international. One of my most favorite memories of the entire summer and plebe year was having the chaplain hand me a package one Sunday morning - our third Sunday, as a matter of fact. In it were homemade chocolate chip cookies, beef jerky, a small American flag, Band-aids, some kind of baby wipes (Bancroft had no A/C back in the day), a small container of foot powder, and three blue rims that were one size larger than I was issued (and were perfect). I felt so rich. I floated around the Yard that day. I hit all my rates and shared half the cookies with my platoon. That act of kindness sustained me in so many ways.
I know you USNA parents are no more well-off than anyone these days, but if you can afford splurging on $10 or $15 of small, necessary items and a home-baked thing, do not underestimate how much a difference you will make. I'm tearing up as I remember that day and it's over 20 years ago. (Don't go overboard, it's not about the size.)
Official address:
Chaplain Center
USNA
101 Cooper Road
Annapolis, MD 21402-5027