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Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, has officially opened its more than 4,700 drop-off locations across the country for National Collection Week, running from Nov. 18-25. This global initiative invites individuals, families, and groups to pack shoebox gifts filled with toys, school supplies, and personal care items to bless children in need this Christmas season.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered over 220 million shoebox gifts to children in more than 170 countries and territories. In 2024, the project aims to collect enough shoeboxes to reach an additional 12 million children worldwide.

“Samaritan’s Purse is committed to taking the Gospel to hard-to-reach places – whether it’s responding to a disaster or sharing God’s love through the power of a simple shoebox,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “You can show kids in need the true meaning of Christmas this year through a shoebox gift. Please prayerfully consider packing a shoebox this year.”

Operation Christmas Child partners with local churches around the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. Participants can follow a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage.

Find Your Nearest Drop-Off Location

An online lookup tool is available to help participants find the nearest drop-off location and hours of operation. Locations can be searched by city or ZIP code, and each site will have signage to identify drop-off points.

For more information, call 615-962-7145 or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.

For those preferring the convenience of online shopping, the Build a Shoebox Online option allows participants to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender. Virtual shoeboxes can also include a photo and a personal note of encouragement.

About Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse designed to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. With the help of local churches worldwide, the program has been delivering shoebox gifts for over three decades to bring joy and hope to children in need.