This program from Olive Branch Ministries provides Christmas gifts, toiletries, and other necessary items for some of most financially needy children in the country. We’ll be creating boxes for boys and girls in kindergarten through 6th grade this year.

How does it work?

For around $30 you can buy supplies to fill one box with items for a child in need. FBC is providing boxes with a rubberband to hold them closed; they can be found in the Welcome Center or the Sanctuary. Pick them up on Sunday mornings or during office hours. (If your organization would like to provide boxes for people in your group participating in this program, appropriately sized boxes can be purchased in bulk HERE.)

Each box should contain the following items:

  • Soap or Body Wash in a ziplock bag

  • Shampoo/Conditioner in a ziplock bag

  • Toothbrush

  • Toothpaste

  • Hair Brush or Comb

  • Washcloth

  • Age Appropriate School Supplies (pens, pencils, markers, etc.)

  • Hat

  • Gloves

  • $5-$10 gift card taped inside the lid of the box (Walmart, Family Dollar, Dollar General)

  • Gender Specific Toys

Toiletry items can be purchased very inexpensively at places like Dollar Tree or Dollar General. Many of those who fill boxes find that purchasing the majority of the necessary items at low cost stores allows them to spend a little more on the toys, which is great as this is the only Christmas gift some of these children will be receiving. If you’d like to make a monetary donation instead of filling a box yourself, designate a gift of at least $30 per box with the word “shoebox” on the memo line and it will be used to create additional boxes for children in need.

We’ve included pictures of both a “girl” and “boy” box so you can see an example of what to include. Boxes don’t have to be gender specific, but if they are, please label the outside of the box indicating whether it contains items for a boy or girl.

What should I include in a Girl’s Box?

Appropriate gender specific items for girls might include things like:

  • Nail polish

  • Hair Bows

  • Dolls

  • Age Appropriate Books

  • Coloring Books

  • Lip Gloss

  • Jewelry

What should I include in a Boy’s Box?

Appropriate gender specific items for boys might include things like:

  • Legos

  • Toy Cars

  • Action Figures

  • Age Appropriate Books

  • Coloring Books

  • Card Games

  • Travel Size Games


While all contributions are appreciated, some items can be problematic, so please be sure to include only appropriate items.

Items to Avoid:

  • Food or Candy

  • Age Inappropriate items

  • Broken or used items


The boxes will be delivered to Olive Branch Ministries, in Kentucky for distribution.

Thank you for participating in this ministry sharing the love of Christ with the “least of these” in our region. Your time, resources, and efforts are so appreciated and will make a huge difference at Christmas for the child who receives your box.

If you have any questions about this missions project, please contact David Cates at dcates@fbcmboro.org.