Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

kamloops shoebox project

Shoebox Project gathering gift boxes to make a positive impact for women in need

Dec 6, 2024 | 4:09 AM

KAMLOOPS — A seasonal push to provide gifts for women in the community who may be going through a difficult time is collecting donations for the Shoebox Project.

The Kamloops Chapter of the project takes standard-sized, decorated shoeboxes filled with items between $50 and $75 in value, and distributes them to various local agencies that serve marginalized women.

“We like to make sure that we have a little bit of everything in there. We like to have something cozy, something sweet, something pretty,” says Taylor Bertoli, the Kamloops Shoebox Project Coordinator. “Some examples of things like this are some essentials such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoos and conditioners, but also a really kind note, maybe some chocolate, some mascara, a little gift card for somewhere to treat yourself. We like to get in all in there and make somebody feel really special.”

Bertoli says many of the people who receive shoeboxes are young mothers and the gifts are meant to show the recipient that the community cares about them.

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Over the years, the gift boxes have been passed out to the Elizabeth Fry Society of Kamloops, the Emerald Hostel, Eway Kamloops Youth Housing, the Family Tree program, the First Steps Program, the Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre, and the Y Emergency Women’s Shelter.

“If you don’t have the time or the means to do that, you can actually donate online,” adds Bertoli. “You can go on to shoeboxproject.ca/chapters/kamloops, and there you can donate directly to the Kamloops chapter, and that way I will take those funds, I’ll go shopping for you, I’ll build the shoeboxes for you, and then we can have them distributed on your behalf.”

Shoeboxes can be dropped off at the Abbott Wealth Management office along Summit Drive during regular business hours, until December 16.