From Lunchboxes to Lecture Halls: Our Back-to-School Haul

Back-to-school season used to mean picking out binders, hoping my locker was close to my classes, and maybe begging my mom for something cool in my lunchbox. These days? It looks more like stocking my pantry with brain fuel – and helping my friend load up for her three kids, who are somehow growing faster than my grocery list.

We hit up our local Commissary together this week to stock up on all our back to school favorites – and from now until 9/7/2025 you can enter in for a chance to win ONE of FIVE $100 Commissary gift cards by visiting MMSgiveaways.com – let me tell you – it was a cart-filling mission. Between her kids going back to elementary school and me heading into another semester of college, we needed snacks, sips, and sanity-savers that can handle early mornings, late-night study sessions, and everything in between.

Her cart? Stuffed with Danimals® Banana & Strawberry Kids Smoothies, CAPRI SUNS, Del Monte Diced Peaches, and those life-saving KRAFT Mac & Cheese microwaveable cups. And if you think she made it out without tossing in a box (or two) of LUNCHABLES, think again.

My haul leaned more “college caffeine survival kit” than lunchbox vibes: Red Bull Zero, Pepsi Zero, and Gatorade Fruit Punch Zero are basically back to school essentials. I grabbed a few OIKOS® Protein Shakes for rushed mornings, and I can’t lie – I threw in a JOYBA Bubble Tea for a little fun.

For the nights when I need something easy but solid, I snagged Bush’s Baked Beans, and StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water, and a few KRAFT pantry staples. Nothing gourmet, but it gets the job done.

We both agreed you can’t go wrong with a Frito-Lay Classic Mix Variety Pack and yes, we impulse-added OREO Minis and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate – because balance. I also picked up Liquid Death (hydration with edge) and a couple bottles of Health-Ade Kombucha for gut checks and self-care.

And finally? Kleenex Trusted Care Tissues. Because there will be moments – whether it’s a tearful goodbye at the bus stop or a mid-term meltdown at midnight.

Honestly, stocking up together reminded me that we’re all just doing our best to get through the chaos of back-to-school season – whether we’re eight or in our late twenties. And with DeCA’s Stock Up and Save deals, we don’t have to do it on an empty stomach and it’s nice knowing there is a donation automatically being made to the Fisher House Foundation alongside a $100 Commissary Gift Card Sweepstakes. 

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