SCIOTO COUNTY—More than 4,500 locations will open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project. Scioto County volunteers are preparing to collect shoebox gifts at four convenient Drop-Off locations 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 at samaritanspurse.org/occ.

“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.”

Signs at each Scioto County drop-off location listed below will identify the drop-off.

SCIOTO COUNTY DROP-OFF LOCATIONS TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH 1148 GALLIA STREET PORTSMOUTH, OH 45662 Monday, Nov. 13, 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. NAUVOO METHODIDT CHURCH 1410 5th STREET WEST PORTSMOUTH, OH 45663 Monday, Nov. 13, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST 1224 DOGWOOD RIDGE ROAD WHEELERSBURG, OH 45694 Monday, Nov. 13, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. HARRISON FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH 12254 STATE ROUTE 139 MINFORD, OH 45653 Monday, Nov. 13, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Participants outside the area can find their 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 at samaritanspurse.org.

Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement. Participants can follow their shoebox via a tracking label to discover its destination.