CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Halloween is around the corner, but Christmas isn’t far behind, and the Samaritan’s Purse is gearing up to gather and distribute gifts for children in need. 

As volunteers prepare for National Collection Week, which will take place between Nov. 14-21, more than 4,500 locations will open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse Project. 

The Operation Christmas Child project seeks to demonstrate God’s love for children in need through tangible items. This year the project hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 11 million children, as it will be collecting its 200-millionth shoebox this year, a Samaritan's Purse news release said.

“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.”

Partnered with local churches across the nation, the project encourages families, individuals and groups to help transform empty shoeboxes into fun gifts for children in need, a Samaritan's Purse news release said.

Since 1993, Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child project has been delivering and collecting shoebox gifts that are fun-filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items, according to the Samaritan's Purse news release.

Participants can find more information on drop-off locations and a step-by-step guide on how to pack a shoebox by visiting their webpage.