Volunteers across Rankin and Madison Counties are gearing up for National Collection Week, taking place November 17th -24th, as part of Operation Christmas Child, a global outreach project of Samaritan’s Purse. During this week, more than 4,700 drop-off locations will open nationwide, collecting shoeboxes so that these can be delivered to children around the world.
Since its launch in 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered millions of shoeboxes to children affected by war, poverty, disease, and disaster. In 2025, the organization aims to reach 12 million children with these tangible expressions of God’s love and hope.
Packing a shoebox is a joyful experience for individuals, families, and groups within the community. A step-by-step guide is available on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage. Each box can be tracked through the “Follow Your Box” feature with a $10 donation, allowing participants to discover its final destination. “Children need hope, and they need to know that they are not alone, and God loves them,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “Gift-filled shoeboxes open the door for us to share the hope of the Gospel with boys and girls around the world. Please pray that these simple gifts have an eternal impact.”
To find your nearest drop-off location and its hours of operation-
• Attached are the nearest drop-off sites with dates and hours of receiving
• Use the online lookup tool, which is searchable by City or ZIP code.
• Each site will be clearly marked with signs identifying it as an official drop-off site.
For more information, please contact: Emily Thomas -601-606-6174 – emilythomasocc747@gmail.com or Minadene Waldrop – 601.941.1906 – minadeneocc@gmail.com
