Churches join shoebox gift collection, mailing drive

The annual Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift drive has begun, and local organizations and churches are once again collecting gifts to send abroad.

Churches and families who pack shoebox gifts can drop them off at one of more than 4,000 drop-off locations during National Collection Week, Nov. 1623. Donors will be greeted at curbside drop offs by volunteers. Each location will offer a curbside dropoff option. If groups are not meeting in person, they can still pack gifts together online. Operation Christmas Child’s Build a Shoebox Online program and the new function of goal pages, provides a creative way to rally together around a common goal, according to the statement. Drop-off locations will be listed starting in early November at samaritanspurse.org and can be searched by city or ZIP code.

Samaritan’s Purse is calling on churches and families to pack more shoebox gifts than ever before for Operation Christmas Child, making sure millions of children experience the Good News and great joy of the holiday. Samaritan’s Purse is committed to its mission of reaching millions of children across the globe with hope, according to the statement.

“Much of the world has been gripped with fear, and this is especially hard for

In 2019, Friendship Baptist Church members Rayna Flores, Ivettliz Cotto and youth minister Rob Morzella showed their collection of shoeboxes, packed with gifts, for Operation Christmas Child. The church was a drop-off point for the boxes, and has received many contributions from area churches. This year’s Operation Christmas Child effort is inviting groups and churches to sign up. children,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “Now more than ever, these boys and girls need to know God loves them. Operation Christmas Child delivers the hope found only in Jesus Christ.”

The Samaritan’s Purse project has been collecting and delivering shoeboxes filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys, to children worldwide for more than 20 years.

Even if churches and groups are not yet meeting, families are encouraged to pack shoebox gifts at home. Through Operation Christmas Child’s network of thousands of churches around the world, God uses these simple gifts to make an eternal impact.

According to the statement, the organization also offers an option to virtually pack a shoebox gift. Through this online tool, churches and groups can also set up a goal page to reach a larger goal. Anyone can Create a Goal Page and work together with church members, friends, and family.

Those interested in more information on Operation Christmas Child COVID-19 protocols, can visit Important COVID-19 Updates for the latest information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 178 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories. Learn more at SamaritansPurse.org