The Shoebox Project for Women is a registered charity that collects and distributes gift-filled Shoeboxes to local women impacted by homelessness across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
We aim to foster safe, supportive and inclusive communities by facilitating compassionate gestures of kindness between our supporters and local women experiencing homelessness.
Shoeboxes include much-needed personal items like soap, shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste, allowing women to take care of their personal hygiene and to feel more confident in a time of great personal turmoil.
The little luxuries we provide such as warm fuzzy socks, a beautiful journal, and high quality beauty products, delivers a rare and invaluable message to a woman who finds herself in a shelter that she remains worthy of nice things and deserves to feel special.
Most Shoeboxes we deliver come with a card or note from its donor, providing the women we serve with a meaningful and compassionate message from someone in her very own community. A Shoebox can be a rare and powerful reminder for a woman that she is not alone and that there are people who truly care.
Over the past ten years, The Shoebox Project has distributed approximately 242,150 Shoeboxes across Canada, the USA and the UK, and an additional £700,000 worth of gift cards and essential products directly to local women accessing over 510 shelters and community agencies.
“Thank you so much for the presents, I haven't been given a present in years! I'll be alone this year so am planning a self-care day with the beauty stuff. The diary will really help change my life, I've been writing down what I do everyday. I cannot thank you enough!"
- Shoebox Recipient
“As soon as I heard about the work this charity does, it was so important to me that I had to be involved in some way. Whilst there are many gift drives for children experiencing homelessness around Christmas, it’s often that the mothers get left behind, so to see a charity want to make a change and was so refreshing. Was a pleasure to be involved.”
- Cathie, Colour Wow
“The women were delighted to receive their gifts. Some were brought to tears. Thank you for making them feel special.”
- Shelter Manager, Women at the Well
By creating a Shoebox, you will ensure that a local woman in the community of your choice receives the essentials she needs and the special treat she deserves. Add a supportive message with your gift so she knows someone is thinking of her and cheering her on.