Pine Belt churches begin 'Operation Christmas Child', sending goods overseas

PINE BELT, Miss. - Pine Belt churches are beginning their collection of donated items for its 'Operation Christmas Child' (OCC) program. In honor of National Collection Week shoe boxes are packed to underprivileged countries for the holidays.

Good Samaritan's Purse has been reaching hurt people in countries around the world with food, medicine, and more for over 40 years. But, during the holidays it gets a little bit more special with its international OCC program.

Volunteer Coordinator Wayne Landers said,"You take a shoe box and you pack it with school supplies, hygiene items, no liquids or war toys or anything like that, soccer balls, jump ropes, its better for items that do not require batteries because they can’t get batteries.”

The shoe boxes are shipped to over 100 countries and most of the children receiving them are victims of poverty and war.

“Without school supplies, in a lot of the countries, they cannot go to school, they are not furnished, there are no programs to provide them, a paper and a pencil is required for you to come to school" said Landers.

Last year Landers said Pine Belt donated around 23,000 shoe boxes overseas and this year their goal is to send over 25,000.

The last day to donate items is Monday, November 21 at 12 p.m.

Click here to see your nearest drop-off location.