How To Participate in a Shoebox Ministry

Every year thousands of children are displaced from their homes by natural disasters, acts of war or poverty.  Many of these children are separated from their families out of economic necessity or have become orphans.  The season of Christmas can be especially difficult for children who cannot afford to purchase their own clothes or hygiene items, let alone a toy or two.

To address this worldwide need, several Christian organizations have developed special programs called shoebox ministries.  Every year, thousands of volunteers agree to purchase clothing, hygiene items and small toys for these needy children.  All of these gifts are packaged into shoeboxes, along with some money to defray the cost of shipping.  Trained missionaries in foreign countries receive these shoeboxes and distribute them to the children during special Christianity-based services.  Along with the boxes, children often receive invitations to join a local church or age-appropriate tracts containing the Gospel story.  Here's how to participate in a local shoebox ministry program.

1. Some churches have already established local shoebox programs, but if you're starting from scratch you'll need some professional guidance and start-up materials.  One of the most recognized shoebox ministries is sponsored by Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse organization.  To start your own shoebox ministry, visit their website at www.samaritanspurse.com and look for the Operation Christmas Child links.  Once you register with the organization, they will send you an information kit filled with promotional DVDs, flyers, posters and pamphlets containing address labels.  Read over all of this material thoroughly so you can become the local expert on the Operation Christmas Child program.

2. In order to ensure delivery of the shoeboxes by Christmas,  local participants are encouraged to begin promoting the program by September or October.  Start by hanging up the posters with local information added.  Ask your pastor for permission to speak briefly on the shoebox ministry, or request that the promotional DVD be shown to the congregation.
3. After introducing the shoebox program to the entire church,  try raising support among smaller groups such as Sunday School classes, youth departments, singles groups and senior citizens.  You could promote the program as a friendly competition among groups or as a good service project for the youth.  Meet with the finance committee members or trustees to generate funding from the church's general budget.
4. Spend at least one day demonstrating the proper technique for buying gift items and packing them into the shoeboxes.  There are some items which are strictly forbidden -- war-related toys, breakable glass bottles,  flammable materials, etc.  The lid and the box must be wrapped separately for easier inspection.  Small plastic craft boxes with separate lids can be used as a substitute for traditional shoeboxes.  Gifts should be age and gender-appropriate and represent a mix of games, clothing, educational and personal hygiene items.  Participants usually appreciate at least one crash course on proper shoebox preparation.
5. Set a deadline for the receipt of finished shoeboxes.  For many churches, this deadline is set for early to mid-November.  It is entirely appropriate for the church to hold a special dedication service in honor of the children who will receive them.  There may also be additional DVDs available for viewing just before the boxes are delivered to the local pick-up site.
6. Carefully pack all of the boxes and transport them to the nearest collection center, usually a larger church in the area.  The shoeboxes will be accepted and an official count provided.  This information can be passed along at Christmastime as a special thank-you for the congregation's participation.  Once you've collected and stored all of the excess promotional materials and address labels, your shoebox ministry is complete until the next year.