care package

noun

1. Also CARE package. a package containing food, clothing, or other items sent as necessities to people in need of them.
2. a gift of treats to relatives or friends, especially of items not readily available to them:

   She sends monthly care packages of homemade cookies to her son at college.

Word History and Origins

Origin of care package¹

First recorded in 1945–50; from the aid packages distributed by CARE

Idioms and Phrases

A gift package of food or other items not readily available to the recipient, as in While I was in college, Mom sent me a care package of homemade cookies just about every month . This term originated after World War II with CARE, an organization founded to send needed food, clothing, and other items to war-torn nations. By the 1960s the term had been transferred to sending packages of treats to children at camp, students away at school, and the like.

Example Sentences

His new place now houses his football memorabilia, and the facilities and care package he has are excellent.

From BBC

Creative Care, which runs Oakwell House, said while Ms Merrill had been self-employed and provided a "drop-in service for staff and residents", the psychologist "was not intended to replace any prescribed care package".

From BBC

Additional figures out today also show more than 1,500 patients delayed in beds in hospitals in Wales, when they are well enough to leave but cannot get an assessment or care package.

From BBC

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law in March as part of a comprehensive health care package that included initiatives aimed at bolstering the state’s health care force.

From New York Times

Mr Messick told the BBC that he has exchanged WhatsApp messages with the crew after arranging delivery of a care package that included WiFi hotspots.

From BBC