Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child provides children living in poverty overseas with shoeboxes filled with gifts during the holiday season. The first drop-off date is from 4:30 to 7 p.m. today. (Journal file photo)

MARQUETTE — The first drop-off date for gift-filled shoeboxes will be today at Bethel Baptist Church in Marquette, as Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child kicks off another holiday season of giving.

Marquette County’s drop-off site for this year will be at Bethel Baptist Church, located at 829 Grove St., Marquette. Today’s drop-off hours will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Additional drop-off times are scheduled for 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.

Each year the program gathers shoeboxes filled with donated items like personal hygiene products, school supplies and small toys for children living in poverty overseas.

Last year, 1,413 shoeboxes donated in Marquette County were sent to children living in Zimbabwe, organizers said. In 2016, 1,253 shoeboxes were sent to Madagascar.

“Imagine the smiles that each child had as they received a gift from you and the hope they were given when they heard the gospel, some for the very first time,” a letter from organizers Karla Salo, Ann Steede and Sandy Thomsen reads. “We pray that you once again will be willing to participate in this wonderful ministry and put a smile on a child’s face and the message of Jesus Christ in their hearts.”

Participants can pack shoeboxes prior to bringing them to the drop-off, and organizers said extra boxes are provided at the church as well.

A $9 donation must be included to cover the cost of transporting the shoebox.

Each child is also provided with materials teaching them about the Christian religion.

For more information, including a list of suggested gifts, visit www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/.

Other questions can be directed to 906-228-7589 or 906-226-7232.