SHIPPENSBURG – With inspiration from Operation Christmas Child, the Shoebox Supply House has grown into an initiative that makes helping children accessible, and affordable. For over 30 years, Operation Christmas Child has packaged and shipped over 250 million shoebox gifts to children in need overseas. The Shoebox Supply House aims to create these boxes cheaper, and more efficiently.
Located on 709 Marden Ave. in Shippensburg, this renovated warehouse is a one-stop-shop. Customers may visit the warehouse and choose a pre-wrapped gift box. Gift boxes are generally shoeboxes, often donated from local shoe stores. Then, after choosing the age range and sex of the child of whom you are choosing gifts, customers can stroll the long aisles of everything imaginable to fill their boxes. From handmade clothes and toys, to books, craft kits and toiletries, the warehouse has anything a child could need.
In partnership with the Samaritan’s Purse, owner of Operation Christmas Child, the volume and speed with which boxes can be fulfilled and shipped is expedited by the work of Shoebox Supply House. The warehouse is able to ship thousands of boxes inexpensively through their network of volunteers and suppliers paired with notably low prices.
By buying in bulk, and with the generous donations of local volunteers, sewers and hobbyists, the Shoebox Supply house is able to keep prices extremely low in order to maximize what is able to go in boxes. People often donate fabrics, yarn, wood, jeans and sewing material, all of which are used by other volunteers to create clothes, sewing kits, craft kits, toys and more.
Dozens of boxes, full of shoebox gifts, ready for shipment
This organization does not only provide gifts to children in need, but it also supplies boxes for missions trips, church youth groups and vacation Bible schools. The ultimate mission is to provide goods to any child in need, while simultaneously sharing their faith in God. The Shoebox Supply House, has made process easier than ever.
A popular option, Pack-A-Box, makes contributing even easier. For $17.50, customers can choose what type of box they would like to send, and workers at the Shoebox Supply House will pick, pack and ship your gift. Start by mailing a check to the Shoebox Supply House and specify the age group and sex of the child you want to box to go to. Workers will then choose a box, appropriate gifts and then ship your box. This cost covers the box and its contents as well as shipping.
Shoebox Supply House was the brainchild of Loretta Tharp, said Rick Bradford, who is filled with passion for not only fulfilling these gift boxes, but also the process that goes into creating them. With a team of retired volunteers, each with their own specialties, not only are they able to fill boxes with quality gifts, but each box is packaged with care. Though anyone is welcome to come out and volunteer, the Shoebox Supply House frequently invites local groups such as United Cerebral Palsy and local schools to visit and help in any way they like.
Pack-A-Box packing line
Readers interested in volunteering at the Shoebox Supply House, may simply come to the warehouse during business hours, fill out a waiver, and the team will get you started! If you would like to create a box, price lists and open hours can be found at shoeboxsupplyhouse.com. Donations may be dropped off at the donation bin located inside the warehouse.
