Shoebox packers across the Kansas City Metro are blessing children around the world through Operation Christmas Child. More than 4,000 locations, including more than 40 locations in the greater Kansas City area, are offering Curbside Drop-off option for the Samaritan’s Purse project through Nov. 23.
Operation Christmas Child 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 project that everyone can still be a part of, even with COVID-19 restrictions.
A project of Samaritan’s Purse, the effort seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, it has collected and delivered more than 178 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.
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There’s still time for individuals, families, and groups 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 website.
“In the midst of the pandemic, the needs are greater than ever before,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “Children around the world need to know that God loves them and there is hope. A simple shoebox gift opens the door to share about the true hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.”
Participants can find their nearest location and hours of operation as they make plans to drop off their shoebox gifts on the website HERE. The online lookup tool is searchable by City or zip code. Signs at each location will identify the Curbside Drop-off. Drop-offs are located in Kansas City, North Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Parkville, Liberty, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Raytown, Grandview, Raymore, Olathe, Overland Park, Shawnee, Lenexa, Smithville, and many more locations across Missouri, Kansas and the nation.
The organization also offers an option to virtually pack a shoebox gift. Through this online tool, churches and groups can also set up a goal page to rally together to reach a larger goal. It’s easy—simply set a goal, invite your friends, and start packing! Whether your goal is 50 shoeboxes or 5,000, anyone can work together with church members, friends, and family to share the hope of the Gospel with children around the world.
–Metro Voice