The Shoebox Project for Shelters

The Shoebox Project for Shelters (French: Opération boîte à chaussures) is a Canadian registered charity based in Toronto, Ontario.[1] It is nationally supported by Dream.[2] It collects and distributes shoeboxes filled by volunteer donors with essential and small luxury items for women who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness in communities across Canada and the United States.[3] Its mission is to remind "women experiencing homelessness...that they are special, beautiful, and worthy of a happy holiday.”[4] It serves to let women living in or accessing shelters and outreach centers know their community cares about them and values them.[5]

The Shoebox Project operates more than 35 chapters across the U.S. and Canada including in San Francisco,[5] New York City,[6] Vancouver,[3] Montreal,[7] and Ottawa.[8] Local drives are usually active around various holidays including International Women’s Day,[9] Mother’s Day,[5] and Christmas.[10]

In 2011, The Shoebox Project distributed over 400 Shoeboxes to four Toronto women's shelters.[11] This increased to delivering almost 25,000 Shoeboxes to 135 communities across Canada and the U.S. in 2015.[12]

History

The Shoebox Project for Shelters was founded in 2011 by Caroline Mulroney Lapham, Jessica Mulroney, Katy Mulroney, and Vanessa Mulroney.[11][8] The idea for the charity stemmed from the efforts of Jessica’s mother to collect donations for shelters in Montreal.[11] The sisters-in-law decided to do a similar initiative to benefit the Red Door Family Shelter in Toronto.[11] Their original goal was 156 Shoeboxes, but they surpassed this and collected 400 Shoeboxes which were distributed to 4 local shelters in time for the holidays.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Hendry, Lesley. "Communities coming together for women in need? If the Shoebox Fits!". CanadaHelps. CanadaHelps. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Dream Becomes National Corporate Sponsor of The Shoebox Project for Shelters™; Will Launch Chapters in Regina and Saskatoon". Market Wired. Market Wired. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  3. 1 2 Bolen, Derek. "The Shoebox Project brings little luxuries to women in need". Vancity Buzz. Vancity Buzz. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  4. ↑ Engqvist, Katherine. "West Shore women supporting those in need". Goldstream News Gazette. Goldstream News Gazette. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 Wilson, Alia. "South Bay: The Shoebox Project brings necessities, comfort to women in shelters". The Mercury News. The Mercury News. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  6. ↑ Vlkova-Fierro, Verunka. "Help the Homeless Women of NYC with the Shoebox Project". Pimmento Be Skin Smart. The Shoebox Project. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  7. ↑ Tzountzouris, Johanna. "CBC Montreal Do Crew: Getting organized for the Shoebox Project". CBC News - Montreal. CBC News - Montreal. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  8. 1 2 Mulroney Lapham, Caroline. "The Shoebox Project Shines a Light on Ottawa's Best Side". Huff Post Impact Canada. Huffington Post. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  9. ↑ Merlo, Dehlia. "Ardene Helps Hundreds of Homeless Women and Refugees". Montreall.com. Montreall.com. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  10. ↑ Manoukian, Julia. "Shoebox Project brightens the holidays for Halifax's homeless women". Metro. Metro. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Mulroney Lapham, Caroline. "Holiday Shoebox Drive: Helping Those in Need". Huff Post Impact Canada. Huffington Post. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  12. ↑ "About Us". The Shoebox Project for Shelters. The Shoebox Project for Shelters. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
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