Shoebox Project brings holiday cheer to Fort Erie women in need

A growing holiday drive is supplying practical gifts and small comforts to women facing housing and financial hardship, with volunteers saying the effort is reaching more local residents every year.

The Niagara Shoebox Project is collecting 1,200 gift boxes from November 1 to 29 for women supported by 18 agencies across the region. Volunteers gather, inspect and deliver the boxes in time for the holidays.

Greater Fort Erie agencies that will benefit from donations this year include Community Outreach Program Erie (COPE), the Niagara Chapter of Native Women, and Strong Fort Erie Neighbourhoods.

The Shoebox Project began in Toronto in 2011 and has expanded to more than 45 chapters across Canada supported by over 700 volunteers. The national network delivered more than $2.1 million worth of gifts in 2024 to over 40,000 recipients, and since 2011 it has supported more than 620 shelters and community agencies that serve women and girls.

“For a lot of women who are getting these boxes, this is the only gift that they get through the holiday season,” said Antonietta Culic, volunteer with the Niagara Shoebox Project in Fort Erie.

“We want to make sure they are getting something that is useful for them and something that makes them feel special,” she told Fort Erie Radio.

The project asks donors to fill a shoebox with about $50 worth of new items. Boxes usually include essential toiletries, shampoos, soaps, a gift card worth up to $15, and a handwritten note of support.

“The idea is that you are putting together a shoebox with things you would give to a friend,” said Culic. “We want to make people feel seen around holiday time.”

Demand has risen across Niagara as more women seek support through shelters and community programs. According to a report released by the Niagara Region earlier this year, at least 701 people were experiencing homelessness in Niagara in 2024 compared to 665 in 2021, and more than 48 per cent of those surveyed were women.

“We are getting more and more requests from the agencies and that tells me the demand is increasing,” said Culic.

The Niagara chapter delivered more than 1,080 boxes last year, and is now hoping to reach over 1,200. Volunteers say many recipients have shared how the gesture helped them during difficult periods.

“Even the staff at the organizations are so moved because they know the impact it has for the women they support,” said Culic.

Culic said she became involved because the project supports women who often receive fewer targeted donations during the holidays.

“I became passionate about this because there are so many drives for kids and families, and this one stood out to me as a way to support women who are going through hard times,” said Culic. “It is a way for women to support other women in our community.”

The drive depends on residents who prepare and drop off each box. Volunteers then inspect every donation before sending it to partner agencies.

“Everything we receive goes right to people in our community.”

Community members can assemble a box and drop it off locally at Bridges Community Health Centre on Garrison Road until November 28.

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