GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - November welcomes the giving season, with many hearts turned toward the needs of the less fortunate during the holidays.

Once again, the First Baptist Church is spearheading the local collection for Operation Christmas Child or the collection of shoeboxes filled with gifts for children for Samaritans Purse.

For as little as $10, which covers shipping, the public is invited to fill a shoe box or plastic tote the size of a regular shoe box, with Christmas gifts meant for children in developing nations. These gifts mean the world to the children that receive them.

Diane Sheats, who has volunteered for more than five years with the program, said that these simple boxes “change lives!”

The boxes will include copies of the “Greatest Journey” booklet in their own language (boxes are shipped to countries throughout the world) and a disciple course that introduces the youth to the Gospel, according to Sheats.

For those wanting to donate, simply choose an age range between 2 to 4, 5 to 9 or 10 to 14 years old and designate whether your package is for a boy or girl.

Messages of faith, love and support are suggested as a personal touch from the sender.

Next week kicks off national collection week and the First Baptist Church will be accepting shoe-box sized packages from Monday, Nov. 18 to Monday, Nov. 25.

Collection times are as follows: Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Nov. 20 from 4 to 6 p.m., Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Nov. 22 from 2 to 4 p.m., Nov. 23 from 2 to 4 p.m., Nov. 24 from 12 to 2 p.m. and Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The First Baptist is located at 100 Vermont St., Gridley. If you are unable to make those collection times, visit https://tinyurl.com/4wb5x6xd to create your own shoebox, print a label and volunteer.

Instructions on how to pack a shoebox, including a “build your shoebox online” option, is available online, with more detailed information at Samritanspurse.org. Navigate from the main page by clicking on the Operation Christmas Child banner.