Volunteers are preparing to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, from Monday, Nov. 18, to Monday, Nov. 25. More than 4,700 drop-off locations will be available across the country.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child - a project of Samaritan's Purse - has been collecting and delivering gift-filled shoeboxes to children, including many who are experiencing war, poverty, disease, or disaster. Operation Christmas Child aims to reach another 12 million children in 2024 with the Gospel.

Shoebox packing is an activity suitable for individuals, families, and groups. A step-by-step guide is available by visiting https://samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/ and clicking "How to Pack." The project partners with local churches around the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God's love to children in need. Participants can donate a set amount per shoebox online and receive a tracking label to discover each box's destination.

Participants can visit the aforementioned website to 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.