Heritage Church in Escalon is the drop-off location this week for Operation Christmas Child, the annual collection of holiday shoeboxes stuffed with items for those in need.

Toiletries, small items of clothing, books, school supplies, toys and more can be donated, with boxes collected and shipped both overseas and across the country through the Samaritan’s Purse organization.

Collection for the effort runs through Monday, Nov. 20. The local drop off began on Monday, Nov. 13 and Tuesday, Nov. 14 with hours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 15 collection hours are from noon to 3 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 16 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 17 from 3 p.m. to 5 pm.

Weekend hours will be Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 19 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Final day to drop off the packed shoeboxes is Monday, Nov. 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Heritage Church is at 1155 Escalon Ave., Escalon, and more information is available by calling the church office at 209-838-7600.

The church has been the local drop off site for Operation Christmas Child for the past several years. Showeboxes typically from in from a number of area church congregations, community groups, scout troops and local residents and families that want to take part in the charitable program.