CAMBRIDGE — St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 205 Maryland Avenue is one of more than 4,500 locations that will be open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project.

Church groups, civic clubs and individuals can join by filling shoeboxes with gifts such as school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys for children to enjoy.

They will be received during National Collection Week, Nov. 14-21. Hours at St. Paul’s UMC are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday (Nov. 14, 16 and 18); 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday and Saturday (Nov. 15 and 19); 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday (Nov. 17); and on Sunday, Nov. 20 from noon to 3 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 21 from 7 to 9 a.m.

Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts since 1993. Anyone can pack a shoebox and this year Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 11 million children.

There is a step-by-step guide online on How to Pack a Shoebox.

“Now more than ever, children around the world need to know that God loves them and there is hope,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “A simple shoebox gift opens the door to share about the true hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.”

Also participating are Salisbury Bible Fellowship at 1500 Court Plaza Lane in Salisbury, and Providence Presbyterian Church at 311 Parker Road in Salisbury. For additional locations and the hours visit the nearest drop-off location link online which is searchable by city or ZIP code. Signs at each location will identify the drop-off area.

If you are not part of an organized group that is building shoeboxes, or don't have the time to organize one,  you can build a shoebox online through Operation Christmas Child by following the Build Your Shoebox Online link.