Operation Christmas Child: How Shoebox Donations Work
Pack a shoebox gift with confidence: what to include, costs, drop-off dates and tracking options.
Operation Christmas Child is a Samaritan's Purse project where donors fill shoeboxes with toys, hygiene items, school supplies and gifts for children living in vulnerable situations. Boxes are collected in the United States, processed at regional centers and shipped overseas for distribution through local partners in the name of Jesus Christ. A donor chooses the age group, packs selected items and adds a donation toward shipping costs.
Boxes can be dropped off during a set collection week or built through an online option.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 02, 2026.
What do you pack?
Pick one category: boy or girl, ages 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14. Samaritan's Purse explains in its How to Pack a Shoebox guide that each box should start with a medium-large wow item, such as a soccer ball with pump or stuffed animal. Then add compatible toys, school supplies and personal-care items.
Many donors include a personal letter and photo to connect with the child receiving the box.
- Choose boy or girl and one age group
- Start with one wow item
- Add toys, school supplies and personal-care items
- Include a letter and photo when possible
What stays out?
Some items cannot be shipped for customs, safety and spoilage reasons. According to Samaritan's Purse, excluded items include candy, food, toothpaste, soap, liquids and lotions. The same limits apply to medications, used or damaged items, war-related toys, seeds, breakable items and aerosol cans.
Checking the list before shopping saves repacking later.
- Do not pack food, candy or toothpaste
- Do not pack soap, lotions, liquids or medications
- Do not pack used, breakable or war-related toys
- Do not pack seeds or aerosol cans
What does it cost and where do boxes go?
Samaritan's Purse asks for a suggested $10 donation per shoebox. It says the amount is critical for shipping, processing, evangelism materials, ministry-partner training and other project costs. Filled boxes are turned in during National Collection Week, Nov.
16-23, 2026 in the U.S. Samaritan's Purse notes in its Operation Christmas Child fact sheet that nearly 5,000 drop-off locations accept boxes in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, with eight U.S. processing centers preparing them for overseas shipment.
Can you follow or build your box online?
Donors who pay the $10 online and attach the Follow Your Box adhesive label can later learn the destination country. Samaritan's Purse describes the tracking barcode process in its ways to give information. A practical alternative is Build a Shoebox Online for $30 per box.
Samaritan's Purse says in its Build a Shoebox Online details that donors select gifts, a note and photo online, then staff pack and ship the box under strict customs rules for hard-to-reach areas.
What happens after delivery?
Local church partners distribute the gifts and share the Gospel message. Children may then be invited to The Greatest Journey, a 12-lesson follow-up course taught by trained local teachers. Samaritan's Purse says a separate $6 gift funds one child's participation.
The course is discipleship-focused and runs separately from gift distribution.