Canada’s 2023 Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection season is underway. Individuals, families, churches, businesses, sports teams, and community groups are now packing shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items, plus personal notes and photos, to be delivered to children in need around the world.
Operation Christmas Child is an annual initiative of Samaritan’s 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 God’s love and hope with struggling children in West Africa, Central America, Ukraine and the 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’s 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.
“Struggling children and families need hope,” said Kendra Shields, director of Operation Christmas Child. “This 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’s why I want everyone to help as many children in need as possible by packing shoeboxes.”
National Shoebox Collection Week is Nov. 13-19: Each gift-filled shoebox packed, donated, and delivered to one of hundreds of drop-off locations throughout Canada by Nov. 19 will make a long journey into the arms of a child in need. Canadians can also pack boxes online at PackABox.ca
Check out the video interview below with CHVN's Mike Thom and OCC's Frank King, to learn more.
Please note that CHVN & OCC will not be at St. Vital Centre this year. To drop off your boxes you can use this link to find your closest location. You can also check the list below.
Crosspoint Community Church
554 Marsden St
Winnipeg
November 13 - 19, 2023
Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday CLOSED
Sunday 9am - 12pm
Church of the Living Hope
235 Enniskillen Ave
Winnipeg
November 13 - 19, 2023
Mon. CLOSED
Tues. CLOSED
Wed. 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Thur. 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Fri. 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Sat. 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Sun. 1:00pm - 3:00pm
The Living Christ Community Church
815 Inkster Blvd
Winnipeg
November 13 - 19, 2023
Mon. CLOSED
Tues. CLOSED
Wed. CLOSED
Thur. CLOSED
Fri. 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Sat. 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Sun. 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Albright Evangelical Church
415 Maxwell King Dr
East St Paul
November 13 - 19, 2023
Mon. 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Tue. 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Wed. 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Thur. 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Fri. 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Sat. 10:00am - 2:00pm
Sun. 10:00am - 12:00pm
Truth and Life Worship Center
51 Richfield Ave
Winnipeg
November 13 - 19, 2023
Mon. 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Tues 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Wed. 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Thur. 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Fri. 3:00pm - 9:00pm
Sat. 10:00am - 6:00pm
Sun. CLOSED
Oakbank Baptist Church
26033 Springfield Rd
Oakbank
November 13 - 19, 2023
Mon. CLOSED
Tues. CLOSED
Wed. 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Thur. 9:00am - 12:00pm
Fri. 1:00pm - 7:00pm
Sat. 10:00am - 4:00pm
Sun. CLOSED