×

Donations taken for Shoebox project

PEYTON NEELY The Marietta Times Candy Waite, director of the Gospel Mission Food Pantry, fills a shoebox for a little girl for Operation Backyard Shoebox on Thursday morning.

Some children are less fortunate during the holidays than others. Gospel Mission Food Pantry is working to make sure that every child is given a gift during the season for giving with Operation Backyard Shoebox.

“We just want every child to have the same opportunity as anybody else,” said Candy Waite, director of the Gospel Mission Food Pantry.

This Saturday, Santa’s elves will be filling the pantry with about 400 shoeboxes for boys and girls from babies to 12 years old. The shoeboxes will be filled with donated items from the community including toys, candy, coloring books, crayons and winter accessories.

“We can’t thank this blessed community enough for their donations,” said Waite. “We couldn’t do this without their help.”

Operation Backyard Shoebox has been something the food pantry has done every Christmas since 2011. The first year, the pantry packed 96 shoeboxes for the children of the community. Every year the number has increased and last year, 354 shoeboxes were handed out.

“This is just something we wanted to do for the kids in our area who are less fortunate,” said Jeff Waite, Candy’s husband, who helped create this program. “For some kids, this is all they have and it shows on their face when they open their present.”

On Dec. 17, Santa will be visiting the food pantry from 1 to 3 p.m. handing out these boxes for any children who wish to come. The food pantry is also still accepting donations for the shoeboxes until next Wednesday. Donations should be for any child from a baby to 12 years of age.

“Any items are good,” said Candy. “Toys, crayons, coloring books, gloves, hats, scarves, really anything.”

The boxes are wrapped with gift wrap that appeals to either a boy or girl and inside are surprises for them.

“You can really see the child’s face light up when they receive their present,” said Candy. “There is nothing more rewarding than a child’s smile.”

For more information on how to donate of get involved, call the Gospel Mission Food Pantry at 740-350-4417.

How to donate

¯The Gospel Mission Food Pantry is always accepting food items.

¯They are also accepting toy donations for Operation Backyard Shoebox from now through Wednesday.

¯Donations can be brought to the Gospel Mission Food Pantry located at 309 Lancaster St. in Marietta.

¯Hours for donation include Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday beginning at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 3 p.m.

Source: Candy Waite.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.15/week.

Subscribe Today