Samaritan’s Purse received a notable increase in shoeboxes filled with school supplies, hygiene items, and toys for kids in Central America and West Africa in 2021.
Operation Christmas Child saw a 33% increase in shoeboxes from Prince George, going from 1,634 in 2020, to 2,183 in 2021.
BC as a whole saw that number rise by almost 17%, seeing 53,789 boxes in 2021 compared to 2020’s 46,066.
Frank King with Samaritan’s Purse said the majority of the shoeboxes were dropped off in person, even though they have an online option.
“So many folks in Prince George, and all of BC, and all of Canada said no, we’re going to go out and do this the old fashioned way and really help children in need.”
King noted that these shoeboxes can be very important, and can be the deciding factor on whether a child gets an education.
“Where the education system is free, the children still need to supply their own pencils, paper, erasers, the basic supplies. For some families, that alone means their children will not be going to school.”
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