A volunteer group that provides essentials to women at London-area shelters is struggling to meet soaring demand, with just 40 per cent of what it needs and less than a week to go.
A volunteer group that provides essentials to women at London-area shelters is struggling to meet soaring demand, with just 40 per cent of what it needs and less than a week to go.
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The Shoebox Project, a charity that assembles boxes of toiletries and goodies for women in need, has received 1,200 requests from regional shelters and agencies in the London region this year, 22 per cent more than last year
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Requests have risen significantly in recent years, as calls for service at local women’s agencies have grown, said London co-ordinator Michelle Stanescu. The London chapter also fills requests from agencies in St. Thomas and Woodstock.
“These are shelters we hadn’t supported before,” she said. “And we’ve had a couple new agencies pop up in London asking for some support, too.”
Donations have been coming in more slowly this year, Stanescu said.
“This year it’s a little bit more up in the air if we’ll reach our goal,” she said. “We’ve seen a bit of a decrease in corporate donations, because there are a lot of asks out there.
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“Fingers crossed we can hit out goal,” she added. “We were nervous last year, too, but Londoners really came out and we exceeded our target.”
The boxes, worth roughly $50, include a grocery or drugstore gift card, toiletries, cosmetics and a cozy accessory, such as a hat, mittens or warm socks. Each comes with a handwritten note offering best wishes and support.
The packages are a way to show women in need they are not forgotten, Stanescu said.
For some recipients, including moms focusing limited resources on presents for their kids, the shoebox of goodies may be their only Christmas gift, she said.
“It’s really such a joy to curate a gift and know that it’s going to someone in need,” Stanescu said, adding the cause has deep meaning for her and other volunteers. “Getting the feedback from the shelters and agencies about how appreciated these gifts are really speaks to my soul.”
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The Shoebox Project, launched in Toronto in 2011, has more than 40 chapters across Canada. Last year, the group sent more than 36,000 shoeboxes to 626 shelters and community groups.
In London, shoeboxes go to local shelters and women’s agencies, including Anova, Atlohsa Family Healing Services, London Abused Women’s Centre, My Sisters’ Place, SafeSpace London and many others, which pass them on to clients.
Donations of items or unsealed completed boxes can be dropped off at 11 London locations, including Libro Credit Union branches in Old East Village, downtown and west London, before Dec. 15.
For more details and a full list of drop-off locations, visit shoeboxproject.ca/chapters/london.
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