Women centered items such as lotions, body wash, cleansers, and feminine hygiene products are all items you can add to your shoe box. (Nanaimo Shoebox Project)

By Jordan Davidson

a helping hand

Shoebox Project collects items for local women at risk of homelessness

Nov 30, 2021 | 10:51 AM

NANAIMO — A shoebox full of essential items and a few treats can mean the world to a woman in need.

Started a decade ago by four sisters-in-law from Ontario, the goal of the Shoebox Project is to fill a shoebox with women-centred items for those at risk of homelessness.

Local coordinator Laura Kelsey told NanaimoNewsNOW she and her son wanted to help out someone in need a few years ago but there wasn’t a local organization participating in the project, so she decided to do it herself.

“It’s a really short window of time, but we’re going to try and get as many as possible. Our goal is 30 shoeboxes this year, and we’ll hopefully go up from there next year.”

The campaign began Monday, Nov. 29 and shoeboxes will be collected until Dec. 13 at the North Town Centre office, open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

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The shoeboxes will then be donated to the Society for Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy, a local non-profit providing services and support for persons impacted by systemic barriers which may limit their access to services.

Kelsey said the shoe boxes should contain around $50 worth of cozy winter items such as socks, gloves and scarves. Basic toiletries are also in high demand.

“Chapstick is big especially during the winter months. A small shampoo and conditioner, a notebook and a pen or another thoughtful useful gift…and then a special note of encouragement is really important, just letting these women know the community is thinking about them.”

In 2018, the Nanaimo and Area Shoe Box Project delivered 259 gifts to a handful of local organizations.

Since it was first started in 2011, the Shoebox Project has delivered over 242,150 gifts to hundreds of communities across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

More details can be found at the shoeboxproject.ca, or go to seia.ca for information on the Society for Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy.

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