THE Shoebox Project for Women is a charitable organization that collects shoeboxes packed with goods and donates them to women facing homelessness in communities across Canada.

Neha Garg, co-ordinator for the organization’s Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant chapter, said the Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant community donated 395 shoeboxes this year, with 105 coming from Norfolk. Shoeboxes donated in Norfolk will go to women in need through Haldimand-Norfolk REACH, Haldimand-Norfolk Women’s Services, and Quetzal Family Home.

The local chapter collected more than enough shoeboxes for everyone on its list to receive one.

“We surpassed the target of 380 to spread our efforts to different shelters,” Ms. Garg said, adding the donations help recipients “feel loved, valued and cared for.”

She shared a few messages she has heard from shoebox recipients.

“Being a newcomer that flees the war you feel alone [and] stressed, but when [I] received the gift, I felt like there is a hope to be accepted in a new society and succeed,” one woman said.

“I felt cared about, like I existed and mattered,” said another woman.

Ms. Garg pointed out that these messages demonstrate the impact of locals’ donations.

For the second consecutive year, Port Dover’s shoebox donation drop-off location was The Dover Cheese Shop. Store employees Shelby Mulder and Stacy McNall said their shop collected more than 22 shoeboxes during the drive.

“We are so thankful for our locals,” Ms. Mulder said.

Additional information is available at shoeboxproject.com. Anyone interested in supporting the Shoebox Project for Women can donate online anytime at shoeboxproject.kindful.com/.

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Originally published December 24, 2024