KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — It's one of the biggest holiday outreach in the world — since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 232 million shoebox gifts to children in need.

East Tennessee families are back at it, filling boxes and dropping them off at dozens of sites around Knoxville.

"Samaritan's Purse" runs Operation Christmas Child, and in 2024 alone, the organization collected more than 11 million shoebox gifts.

The group sends gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need around the world—each box packed with toys, school supplies and basic hygiene items. This week is National Collection Week, so dozens of churches and community groups around Knoxville are turned into drop-off hubs.

Those who want to help can find the exact addresses on the Samaritan's Purse

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