There's one week remaining in this year's Operation Christmas Child in Portage la Prairie.

The local organizing committee's looking for 2500 shoeboxes filled with gifts for kids in developing countries.

Coordinator Sheila Knox doesn't have any partial numbers yet, but notes it seems many people are participating. She adds they'll have a better idea later this week.

Last year, 1800 shoeboxes were gathered, and Knox believes that's an indication of the Portage area's giving nature.

The deadline for Operation Christmas Child is this Saturday. You can drop off shoeboxes at the Alliance Church from 9 until 5, today through Wednesday, and from 9 until 8 Thursday and Friday. They'll also be open 10 until 4 on Saturday. The shoeboxes go to kids in Central and South America, as well as Mexico.

Last year, Manitoba contributed 45,000 shoeboxes to Operation Christmas Child.