Brittney Lohmiller / The Natchez Democrat — Pattie Jones, left, and Savannah Pitts pack king cakes, Community Coffee, hot chocolate, creamers and sweeteners to mail to St. Joseph resident sergeant Ryan Hestle, who is stationed in Kuwait. Jones, founder and organizer of Operation GRITS, decided to mail king cakes after Hestle requested one on Facebook. This is the first year Operation GRITS will be shipping king cakes. “We’re sending them a taste of home,” Jones said.