The Shoebox Project is underway! 

Each year, Samaritan’s Purse collects Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, hygiene items, and more, then delivers them to children in need in partnership with local churches. The shoeboxes are filled by individuals, families, and groups around the world, including at St. Andrew. 

Three ways to participate:

1. Pack a shoebox online: For instructions on how to pack a shoebox online, go to this site. 

You can choose whether to pack for a boy or girl and the age range, plus you have some options for what will go in the shoebox.  The cost is $25, payable online, which covers all the items in the shoebox and shipping. It’s quick and easy!

2. Pack a shoebox at home: For instructions on how to pack a shoebox at home, go to this site.

You can use any shoebox you have at home, or you can come to the church and pick up an empty shoebox from the Children’s Ministry area in the lower level. The suggested donation for shipping is $9. If you’d like to make a donation, you have three options:

• Include a check in your shoebox, payable to Samaritan’s Purse.
  
• Pay on-line, which allows you to track your shoebox and learn the destination, or
  
• Make a donation to St. Andrew and we will send all the donations at once.

3. Pack a shoebox at the church

We have set up a classroom with an assembly line to help families or small groups pack one or more shoeboxes. Our supplies include a variety of items, but you are welcome to bring some of your own, too. We are especially in need of “Wow” items—a stuffed animal, deflated soccer ball and pump, doll, clothing, or small musical instruments, like harmonicas or woodwind recorders. 

We are following Covid-safety guidelines, so if you would like to pack at the church:

• Contact Heather Woodin (319-338-7523).
  
• Wear a mask and use the hand sanitizer and gloves that are just outside the shoebox packing room.
  
• You are welcome to pack alone, or with your whole family, or even with your “pod” or “nest” — people with whom you are close during this pandemic. It’s up to you.
  

The “shoebox packing room” is in the Children’s Ministry area in the lower level and will be open by appointment only. We’ll continue until our supplies are depleted.

What to pack: With a few exceptions, almost anything goes when you are packing a shoebox, such as:

• Toys
  
• School supplies
  
• Hygiene items
  
• Small tools
  
• Clothing
  
• Art supplies
  
• Craft projects
  
• Tote bag or backpack
  
• Plastic dinnerware
  
• Jewelry
  

But please do not include these items:

• Food (including chocolate or other candy, fruit rolls or snacks, gum, or drink mixes)
  
• Toothpaste
  
• Used or damaged items
  
• War-related items (such as toy guns, knives, or military figures)
  
• Liquids or lotions
  
• Medications or vitamins
  
• Breakable items (such as snow globes, glass containers, or aerosol cans)
  

If you’d like, you can include a photo of yourself or your family and a note to the recipient. 

Whether you pack at home or at the church, the deadline for turning in packed shoeboxes is Sunday, Nov. 8. Drop them off at the church and we’ll get them to their next stop on the journey.