At Life Church, we invite you to join us in bringing bring good news and great joy to children in need around the world through packing a shoebox with toys, school supplies, hygiene items and other accessories. We are partnering with Samaritan’s Purse through their Operation Christmas Child shoebox appeal, who will deliver these shoeboxes. Each child receives a shoebox gift as an unconditional gift of love, based on need, regardless of their background, religion, race, sexuality or any other factor.
Would you join us in packing a shoebox?
You can pack a box for a boy or girl, in one of three age categories: 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14. Start by taking an empty shoebox and wrap it up in colourful wrapping paper, or pick up a free pre-printed flat pack shoebox from the Elizabeth Hall between 10.00 and 10.30 am each Sunday morning until 10th November, before our service begins. You can also pick up a leaflet that explains how to pack a shoebox at the same time, that gives you ideas on what to pack, and a boy/girl label to cut out and stick onto your shoebox. You can also download a digital copy of this How to Pack a Shoebox leaflet.
Fill your shoebox with wonderful items and a £5 project donation that’ll cover its onwards shipment and more. Next, affix a label to say who you’ve chosen to pack your box for, before bringing it to the Life Church Centre on Elms Road between Monday 11th and Monday 18th November. We’ll make sure it gets on its way safely from us into the hands of the child you’ve packed your shoebox for!
Dropping off your box
The Life Church Centre will be open to receive shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, 11 – 18 November, as follows:
- Monday 11th: 10:30 – 16:30 and 19:30 – 21:30
- Tuesday 12th: 09:00 – 12:30 and 14:00 – 17:00
- Wednesday 13th: 09:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 17:00
- Thursday 14th: 09:00 – 15:30
- Friday 15th: 09:00 – 12:00 and 15:00 – 20:00
- Saturday 16th: 11:00 – 15:00
- Sunday 17th: Bring your boxes and stay for our morning service that begins at 10:30 (tea and coffee from 10:15), which will be held at the Elizabeth Hall.
- Monday 18th: 09:00 – 15:00 and 19:30 – 21:30
Tips and Ideas
Stuck for ideas on what to pack? Download the Shoebox Gift Ideas guide.
Shoebox Online
If packing a physical box is not practical for whatever reason, or you would like to pack a box later in the year than in early November, you can pack a shoebox online for £25, which includes a £5 project donation. Customise your box by selecting which gifts to include and let Samaritan’s Purse pack and send them for you. You can even type a message to the child who will receive your box and upload a photograph of yourself that will be included inside, so they can see who sent their shoebox gift!