Helping the community one shoebox at a time

By Kylie Turner

The Windsor Shoebox Project held its first shoebox drive in Windsor on International Women’s Day.

The Shoebox Project for Shelters was founded in 2011 by four sisters-in-law who delivered 400 shoeboxes to residents of four women’s shelters in Toronto. The Shoebox Project for Shelters collects and distributes gifts to women who are homeless or close to experiencing homelessness in communities across Canada and the United States. A shoebox is decorated and filled with feel-good items valued at $50 to help reduce feelings of isolation and make women in communities feel important despite their situation. The organization branched to Windsor and is known as the Windsor Shoebox Project.

Kristin Douglas, the Strategic Partnerships Manager of the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and Families, was happy to partner with the Windsor Shoebox Project.

“A lot of people have the common misconception that Shoeboxes with motivational quotes or toiletries are something that is going to make women feel special,” said Douglas. “What I can tell you from working here, what makes women feel most special and empowered is having a place to live. Put things in the box that women might need to get started like gift cards, bus tickets, a hair brush or deodorant.”

The Windsor Shoebox Project is new to Windsor thanks to the local coordinator, Farrah Hartwell, 21, who is also a student at St. Clair College. Hartwell was inspired by articles she saw in the news about Windsor being ranked the worst Canadian city to be a woman and homeless stories around the winter holidays.

“I actually came across The Shoebox Project on Instagram and got in contact with the organization,” said Hartwell. “I went on their website and saw that Windsor didn’t have a location, but there was one in Chatham and Detroit, so I figured why not reach out and find out more about it.”

March 6 was the last collection day for Shoeboxes which were organized and delivered to the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women on March 9. The drop off locations for the drive were at Victoria’s Flowers and Gift Baskets as well as a location near Devonshire Mall.

The Windsor Shoebox Project had a goal of 18 shoeboxes to deliver at the Welcome Centre. With help and support from the community 19 shoeboxes were donated with over a $900 value of donations. Hartwell said the next drive might be held around Mother’s Day this year.

For more information about future shoebox drives in Windsor, follow The Windsor Shoebox Project on Facebook.