MARQUETTE — Drop-off locations around the multi-county Upper Peninsula team for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child will be open to receive gift-filled shoeboxes.

During the project’s National Collection Week, various sites will collect shoebox donations filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys for children living in poverty overseas. This year, the U.P. volunteers hope to contribute 10,000 shoebox gifts to reach children in need.

The local drop-off location is Bethel Baptist Church, 829 Grove St., Marquette. Hours are 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday; 9:30 a.m. to noon and 4:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

In 2016, Marquette County participants provided 1,253 shoeboxes that were sent to Madagascar, organizers said.

Throughout the year, people can build a shoebox online at www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/buildonline/, or mail a shoebox to Operation Christmas Child’s headquarters at 801 Bamboo Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

A $9 donation must be included and will cover the shipping costs of the shoebox, and provide each child with The Greatest Journey Bible study, a 12-week learning class of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After completion, each child receives a Bible in their own language.

For more information, visit www.samaritanspurse.org.