We're thinking about them
There often seemed to be a total disconnect between life behind the lines and life at the front. Carefree civilians, sometimes almost flamboyantly so, were sometimes contrasted with soldiers undergoing terrible deprivation and suffering. But even before any officials, who thought the war would be short, attempts to support the troops, civilians actually began to organize to offer material and psychological support to the troops. Families did what they could to send care packages to soldiers, and manufacturers and shopkeepers were quick to profit from this new market by creating products that withstood shipping conditions and life in the trenches. Large grocery stores sold pre-prepared care packages for the troops, and charitable organizations provided support to soldiers and prisoners, sometimes specializing in specific items such as towels for the men at the front. Organizations more concerned with morale sent items like books. Charities also engaged in energetic fund-raising through charity sales and collection days. During times defined by rationing and shortages, there were calls for donations even small items like tobacco, or for volunteers to knit sweaters for the soldiers. Solidarity was particularly evident at Christmastime, when long lines of people mailing packages to the front formed in the front of post offices.
