Samaritan’s Purse has collected shoebox gifts filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items for children around the world as part of Operation Christmas Child.

Every year, National Collection Week takes place the third week in November with more than 4,500 dropoff locations open across the country. This year, National Collection Week is today through Monday with dropoff locations in Trumbull and Mahoning counties.

Event organizers said since 1993, more than 232 million children in more than 170 countries and territories have received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox.

Organizers said shoebox packing is fun for individuals, families and groups. The project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need.

“Children need hope, and they need to know that they are not alone and God loves them. Gift-filled shoeboxes open the door for us to share the hope of the Gospel with boys and girls around the world. Please pray that these simple gifts have an eternal impact,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse.

Mahoning County drop-off locations are:

• Prince of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2985 Center Road Poland, 5 to 7 p.m. today, Wednesday and Friday; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday; noon to 2 p.m. Saturday; noon to 3 p.m. Sunday; and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday.

Trumbull County dropoff locations are:

• Wildare Church, 7211 N. Park Ave., Champion, 4 to 6 p.m. today, Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday and Saturday; 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday; and 8 to 10 a.m. Monday.

• Chestnut Ridge Church of God, 7215 Chestnut Ridge Road, Hubbard, 3 to 5 p.m. today; 4 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday; 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday; 2 to 4 p.m. Friday; 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday; 12:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday; and 9 to 11 a.m. Monday.

Other locations are available at www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/drop-off-locations/.