As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause fear and uncertainty, 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.

“Much of the world has been gripped with fear, and this is especially hard for 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 shoebox gifts — filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys — to children worldwide for more than two decades. This is a mission project that everyone can still be a part of, even with COVID-19 restrictions. Simply pack shoeboxes with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys. Then, bring them to one of more than 4,000 Drop-off locations during National Collection Week Nov. 16-23. Drop-off locations will be listed starting in early November at samaritanspurse.org and can be searched by city or ZIP code.

Even if churches and groups are not yet meeting, families are encouraged to pack shoebox gifts at home. The organization also offers an option to virtually pack a shoebox gift.

Since 1993, OCC has collected and delivered more than 178 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.