The time for the seventh annual Shoebox Ride is here, and it’s coming a bit earlier this year than in years past.

“Our ride this year is a little earlier in the year,” said Mandy Smith, pastor of Corinth Friends Meeting, which hosts the ride. “The past couple of years we’ve had a little bit of a scare with some rain showers. We’re just trying to avoid a little bit of bad weather, if that’s possible.”

The ride started in 2010, when Smith’s father, Raiford Baker, decided he wanted to use his love of motorcycles to support the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child ministry, which ships gift-filled shoeboxes to children around the globe and uses them to introduce the message of Jesus Christ.

The first year, enough money was raised to fill and ship more than 40 boxes. The event has grown significantly, and Smith said about 300 boxes were packed and shipped last year.

“We have every year consistently packed more boxes than the year before,” Smith said. “We sort of gauge the successfulness of the ride by how many shoeboxes we’re able to pack for children.”

The boxes often contain school supplies, hygiene products and small gifts for the children. “We pack it as tight as we can get it,” and then we also pay the shipping cost on every box,” Smith said. The shipping cost is $7 per box.

Between 70 and 80 riders usually attend the ride, which features lunch and door prizes.

This year’s ride will take place Aug. 6 and will begin and end at Somerton Friends Meeting, 5239 Quaker Drive. Registration will take place from 9 to 10 a.m., with the ride departing at 10:30 a.m. and returning by noon.

The cost is $20 per male rider, $10 per female rider and $5 per passenger. T-shirts will be on sale for $10, and there will be a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Lunch will be Linwood’s barbecue with fixings and desserts, and a DJ and games will take place after the ride.

More information can be had at www.shoeboxride.com or by calling 618-1949.