Nov. 13–20 Drop-off Locations to Open for Operation Christmas Child

BOONE, N.C.—More than 4,500 locations will open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan's Purse project. Volunteers are preparing to collect shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, Nov. 13–20.

Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts—filled with school supplies, personal care items and fun toys—to children worldwide since 1993. In 2023, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 11 million children.

Anyone can pack a shoebox! Individuals, families, and groups still have time to transform empty shoeboxes into fun gifts. The project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God's love to children in need. Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage.

"Children around the world need to know that God loves them and there is hope," said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse. "A simple shoebox gift opens the door to share about the true hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ."

Participants can find the nearest drop-off location and hours of operation as they make plans to drop off their shoebox gifts. The online lookup tool is searchable by City or ZIP code. Signs at each location will identify the drop-off.

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, seeks to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. This year, Operation Christmas Child will celebrate its 30th year of ministry!

MEDIA NOTE: For complete media materials and high-resolution downloadable photos, visit samaritanspurse.org/occnewsroom.