Shoebox season will see smiles spread overseas to children in need.

Canada鈥檚 2023 Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection season is underway as individuals, families, churches, businesses, sports teams, and community groups are packing toys, school supplies, and hygiene items, plus personal notes and photos, to be delivered to children in need around the world.

National Shoebox Collection Week is Nov. 13-19, where each gift-filled shoebox is packed, donated, and delivered to one of hundreds of drop-off locations throughout Canada. Canadians can also pack boxes online at PackABox.ca.

Operation Christmas Child is an annual initiative of Samaritan鈥檚 Purse, an international Christian relief organization that works in more than 100 countries.

Last year, Canadians filled more than 415,000 shoeboxes with gifts that shared love and hope with struggling children in West Africa, Central America, Ukraine and Philippines.

In a world weighed down with inflation and the effects of war, children need joy more than ever.

Thanks to all the items that Canadians lovingly put in their shoeboxes, and the $10-per-box they donate to cover shipping and other program costs, Samaritan鈥檚 Purse is able to deliver the boxes to children around the world living in the midst of poverty, disease, war, and natural disaster.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and distributed more than 200 million shoebox gifts in more than 100 countries.

鈥淪truggling children and families need hope,鈥� said Kendra Shields, director of Operation Christmas Child. 鈥淭his is the essence of Operation Christmas Child. Every shoebox gift is an opportunity for a child to learn that he or she matters to Canadians and, most importantly, matters to God. That鈥檚 why I want everyone to help as many children in need as possible by packing shoeboxes.鈥�

Drop off locations are available at the following:

琉璃神社

鈥� Trinity Church, 1905 Springfield Rd. (11-4 Tuesday and Wednesday, 2-8 Thursdaym 12-3 Friday, 11-5 Saturday closed Sunday, Monday)

鈥� The Embassy Church, 410 Leathead Rd. (2-4 Monday-Friday, 10-2 Saturday, closed Sunday)

鈥� 琉璃神社 Christian Reformed Church, 239 Snowsell St. (10-1 Tuesday, 11-1 Wednesday, 12-4 Thursday, 5-7 Friday, 3-6 Saturday, 12-4 Sunday, closed Monday)

Lake Country

鈥� Alliance Church, 12025 Oceola Rd. (9-4 Tuesday-Friday, closed Saturday, Sunday, Monday)

Kamloops

鈥� Alliance Church, 200 Leigh Rd. (4-6 Tuesday-Friday, 1-5 Saturday and Sunday, closed Monday)

鈥� Summit Drive Baptist Church, 1975 Summit Dr. (4-6 Monday-Friday, 1-5 Saturday and Sunday)

Vernon

鈥� Grace Bible Church, 5661 Silver Star Rd. (10-12 Tuesday, 4-7 Wednesday, 11-1 Thursday, 11-2 Saturday, 11-12:30 Sunday, closed Thursday and Monday)

鈥� Alliance Church, 2601 43rd Ave. (11-1 Tuesday and Wednesday, 12-4 Thursday, 9-12 Friday, 3-6 Saturday, 12-4 Sunday, closed Monday)

Penticton

鈥� Alliance Church, 197 Brandon Ave. (3-7 Monday, 11-4 Tuesday, 3-7 Wednesday, 11-4 Thursday, closed Friday, 10-2 Saturday, 1-4 Sunday)

These locations might have empty shoeboxes ready for packing, but there is no guarantee. Any shoebox-sized boxes (cardboard or plastic) can be used for Operation Christmas Child.

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