The Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant Chapter of The Shoebox Project for Women has concluded another impactful season, delivering hundreds of carefully curated shoeboxes to local organizations supporting women experiencing homelessness. Founded in Toronto in 2011, the Shoebox Project has grown to include 44 chapters across Canada, with the HNB chapter becoming active in 2017. This year’s effort once again showcased the power of community-driven initiatives to make a meaningful difference.
This season, the chapter distributed 212 shoeboxes to organizations in Brantford, including Why Not Youth Center, SOAR, Six Nations Justice Department, Victim Services of Brant, Ganohkwasra Family Assault & Support Services, and Brantford Native Housing. Each shoebox, filled with essential toiletries, makeup items, a gift card to a local business, and a handwritten note of encouragement, delivers more than just material support. It sends a vital message to recipients: they are valued, cared for, and not forgotten.
“The chapter collected a total of 395 shoeboxesacross Haldimand, Norfolk, and Brant counties, surpassing their overall goal of 380 shoeboxes despite tough economic challenges, but the significance of what we accomplished is immeasurable”, noted Neha Garg, coordinator of the HNB Shoebox Project.
The Shoebox Project operates as a non-profit with a mission to foster communities where women experiencing homelessness are supported and valued. Beyond the annual holiday drive, the organization hosts health and wellness workshops aimed at empowering women and improving mental health.
For Garg, a Brantford local and professional with a background in software engineering and mortgage services, leading the Shoebox Project has been a deeply rewarding experience. After discovering the initiative through a volunteer call on Facebook, she joined and quickly became a driving force behind its local impact. “Seeing the joy and sense of belonging that these shoeboxes bring is incredibly fulfilling,” she shared.
The success of the Shoebox Project relies heavily on its volunteers. While the chapter is no longer accepting physical donations for the 2024 season, it continues to welcome financial contributions through its website to ensure the sustainability of its efforts. “None of this would be possible without our team of volunteers, and we still need more to meet the growing need,” Garg emphasized. “We encourage anyone interested to visit our website at shoeboxproject.ca/chapters/hnb to explore open positions.”
Local volunteer Mona Sohal, Vice President of Operations at ShipSimple and a Paris, Ontario, resident, highlighted the profound impact of the project. “The most rewarding part of volunteering with the Shoebox Project is being able to give back to the place where I grew up,” she said. “It’s inspiring to connect with others who share the same goal of making a difference and bringing a little joy to someone’s day during a challenging time.”
Sohal stressed the importance of initiatives like the Shoebox Project in addressing homelessness and fostering hope.
“These shoeboxes send a powerful message: there is support and people who genuinely care,” she said. “Volunteering has opened my eyes to just how many women in our area rely on shelters and local organizations. It’s a reminder of the challenges so many face and the impact we can have when we come together as a community.”
The Shoebox Project exemplifies the profound power of collective kindness in addressing social challenges. During a season often marked by feelings of loneliness, these shoeboxes offer more than just gifts—they bring hope, belonging, and a reminder that no one is truly alone.
As the community looks back on this year’s achievements, it serves as a profound example of the remarkable transformations that can stem from seemingly small acts of empathy and kindness.
