St. Paul’s Lutheran Church will host its annual shoebox drive from Nov. 16 through 22, benefiting children in war-torn and impoverished countries. The drive is part of the worldwide Operation Christmas Child under the banner of Samaritan’s Purse.

St. Paul’s, at 1635 Chester Drive, will collect shoeboxes filled with gifts for boys and girls. People can put small toys in each box, as well as hygiene products, school supplies and notes to the children.

A list of things not to put in the boxes can be found at www.samaritanspurse.org.

The boxes will be taken to Orange County, where they will be processed and shipped overseas, said Aaron Bensoua, 22, an Operation Christmas Child spokesman.

Bensoua said that people can feel free to be creative about what they put in the boxes.

Helena Lowe, the relay center coordinator for St. Paul’s, said the church has participated in the drive for about 10 years now.

Bensoua added that boxes can be collected at any time of the year; Nov. 16 to 22 is simply National Collection Week. He also said people are asked to give a donation of $7 with each box to cover the shipping cost.

For information: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 835-7438.