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 current Executive Director is Lesley Hendry, former social worker, in Toronto, Ontario and Ottawa, Ontario.

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]

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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. 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. 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. 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. 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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