Operation Christmas Child isn’t letting COVID-19 keeping them from providing supplies for children from around the globe this year. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to provide God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and together with the local church worldwide, to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, more than 178 million children in more than 150 countries have received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox, filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items.
National Collection Week will be next week, Monday, Nov. 16 through Monday, Nov. 23. The collection center for Natchitoches is located at First Baptist Church, 508 Second Street.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, a curbside option is available this year at all drop-off locations. A volunteer wearing a mask will greet you and direct you to an outside area where they will retrieve your shoeboxes. Volunteers will also present you with a touchless way to leave contact information and the number of shoeboxes you are dropping off.
Times for drop offs are as follows:
Nov. 16: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Nov. 17: 1-4 p.m.
Nov. 18: 1-4 p.m.
Nov. 19: 9 a.m. – noon
Nov. 20: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Nov. 21: 9 a.m. – noon
Nov. 22: 1-4 p.m.
Nov. 23: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.