Check out this post from Daveena:
Operation Christmas Child all Summer!
Hello Red Village Church!
I am hoping to get a jump start on planning for Operation Christmas Child this year, here are some pointers for saving money and filling up more shoeboxes!
1) Watch Sales all Summer. Especially after holidays and when school supplies come out.
2) Buy 1 or 2 items for your shoebox(es) every time you buy groceries(or other shopping).
3) Keep an eye out a rummage sales for unused/unopened, CLEAN and VERY gently used items(flashlights, small tools, calculators, balls, toys).
Items to stock up on: toothbrushes(walmart has 6 for a dollar), small puzzles and games, flip flops, washcloths, unscented bar soap, toothpaste, travel sewing kits, small stuffed toys(Beanie baby size), small baby dolls, hot wheels, school supplies(pencils, crayons, water color paints, erasers, calculators, paper, colored pencils, pens, and glue sticks), bouncy balls, soccer balls(deflated) w/air pumps, hair accessories, brushes, combs.
You can go to: www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/year-round-packing-ideas for more year round ideas for packing shoeboxes!