Food pantry collecting items to distribute to children for Christmas - The News Center

Food pantry collecting items to distribute to children for Christmas - The News Center

MARIETTA, Oh. (WTAP) Christmas is right around the corner, and the Gospel Mission Food Pantry in Marietta is working to bring children a little bit of extra cheer this year.

The pantry is gearing up for it's 6th annual "Operation Backyard Christmas Shoebox. They are asking the community to help gather hats, gloves, coloring books, travel size games, stuffed animals, and more.

The items will be distributed into a shoebox, and given to children in the community on December 17th.

Each child that stops by the pantry from 1-3 p.m. on the 17th will get to see Santa Claus and grab a shoebox full of love. Anybody is welcome to stop by.

The store says the yearly event has brought smiles to hundreds of kids' faces over the last few years.

"When the children come and see Santa, and see the shoebox of love that they get from the blessed community, they get the biggest smile on their face," Candy Waite, owner of the Gospel Mission Food Pantry said. "You know, it's things like that that we try to show the children how much Jesus loves them during Christmas."

If you would like to donate, you can bring your donations to the pantry after 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, and from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Donations will be collected until December 9th.