I am not a poor college student but I am in the same boat.  I do the same with the contacts I choose and the letters that I send. 

When I have sent clothing or clothing type items I wash them first since some of them don't have great laundry services.  After you wash them, you can put them in plastic bag witha fabric softener sheet to keep them smelling fresh. 

I don't know about special pricing or shipping but the best jerky anywhere can be found at  http://www.garywest.com/default.asp

 The economy has totally effected my junkie-hood.  I am down to only being able to send letters and no care packages.  I know letters are important too, but it is hard when I used to be able to send a box or two every month. Hopefully things will turn around soon.

Personally, I type all of my letters.  I truly believe that the troops would rather receive a typed letter than no letter at all.  Besides, It is easier for me to keep track of what I have talked about if I keep a copy of my letters.  I do not, however, agree with signing it with a group name. 

I have bought them before in a pack of 12 or so small bags in a variety of flavors.  I think they were only a couple bucks too.  I got them at WinCo at the time.

Free Spirit: Phillis: I also picked up some FREE boxes from them, that I hadn't noticed on their display before.  Very lightweight, about the size of a video cassette.  I think I had seen them at other post offices before, but they charged for them.  You could fit ALOT of drink mix packets in there, and it still wouldn't weigh ...

I use the small bubble envelopes around the holidays to that I can send lots of support.

I actually started my troop support through adotaplatoon.org because an acquaintance told me about it.  However, it didn't take me but through the first soldier to realize that the way they run things was not really for me.  I can't remember exactly how I found anysoldier.com but I like it much better.  I like being able to help ...

Welcome from a fellow Oregonian!!  I used to live up in the Willamette Valley but have since moved back down south.