The Shoebox Project for Women’s Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant (HNB) chapter officially wrapped up this year’s season of giving, which ran from Monday, November 11, to Friday, December 6, 2024.
The Shoebox Project for Women, which started in Toronto in 2011, is a not-for-profit charitable organization that collects and distributes shoeboxes containing essential and small luxury items for women who are experiencing, or are at-risk of homelessness in communities across Canada.
“The initiative was started by four sisters-in-law who had the idea to try and give back during the holidays to the women in one of their local shelters,” said Neha Garg, coordinator of the HNB Shoebox Project. “Their original target that year was to collect 150 boxes, but they ended up collecting 400 just through word of mouth and they were able to service around four shelters that year.”

Garg said that the project has now expanded to 44 chapters throughout the county and since the Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant chapter was first established in 2018, between 3,000 and 4,800 shoeboxes have been donated to those accessing services from local organizations such as Nova Vita Violence Prevention Services, Why Not Youth Centre, Six Nations Justice Department, Victim Services of Brant and Brantford Native Housing.
Items typically found in each box are: shampoo and conditioner, moisturizer and face creams, non skin-specific make up (like eyeliner or mascara), nail polish, other small luxury items, a ten to $15 gift card to the grocery store or coffee shop, and a handwritten note with a positive and empowering message to let the recipient know they are cared for, valued and not alone.
“Local community members typically bring the shoeboxes to one of our drop-off locations, our volunteers will help to wrap any that come unwrapped, and then we help to distribute them and arrange pickups with the organizations,” she said. “The products don’t have to be expensive, one to five dollar items are totally welcome as long as they aren’t used or expired. We also accept in-kind donations online because we know that a shoebox, which we try to value around $50 to $60, can be a little more expensive for some people and we want to make sure it’s accessible. The only thing we usually ask, if you’re going to make a donation online, be sure to select the HNB chapter so that the funds stay within the local community.”

Garg added that while the items may seem trivial to some people, the products can make a world of difference to someone who’s already feeling low.
“We’ve gotten amazing feedback from the recipients and many of them have said that receiving the gift feels like a warm hug,” she said. “I think we all know what the value of a hug is, they often calm things down and make you feel better when things aren’t looking great, and it lets you know you’re cared for. That’s why I got involved with the organization; I know that I’m helping someone who may be close to giving up, going through addiction, or are victims of domestic abuse, and if I can bring a smile to someone’s face for even a little moment, there’s nothing better than that.”
Overall, this year the HNB Shoebox Project team surpassed their goal and collected 395 boxes for women in need, and while they are no longer accepting boxes for the 2024 season, monetary donations are being accepted online at: https://www.shoeboxproject.ca/chapters/hnb

Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.