Campbell River Shoebox Project Wraps From Another Year

Hundreds of Shoebox Gifts have been distributed to local shelters and other agencies throughout Campbell River and Port Hardy/North Island.

This year about 530 gift-filled Shoeboxes valuing $50 each were delivered in Campbell River, and over 55 gifts were handed out in Port Hardy/North Island.

Over 600 Shoeboxes were requested, so they came up a little shorter than they would have liked.

Despite that, organizers are thrilled with the support from the community.

“We are thrilled with the response once again from the community of Campbell River who have generously supported The Campbell River Shoebox Project with donations since 2013,” said Alison Skrepneck, local Shoebox Project Coordinator.

“We were able to reach our goal and delivered a record number of Shoeboxes in Campbell River this year, which is amazing!”

Skrepneck says the team began delivering Shoebox gifts in the North Island in 2017 and has struggled in that area since before the pandemic.

The shelters and agencies will provide the gifts - daily essentials, several luxuries, gift cards, etc. - to vulnerable women prior to Christmas.

This year, thanks to financial donations from the community, about 100 special gift-filled Shoeboxes were created for unhoused women in the community.

Rather than some of the little luxuries found in the traditional Shoeboxes, these gifts included more practical items like a fanny pack or small duffel bag, wool sox, hair items, and other things.

Online donations are still being accepted and can be made year round by visiting The Shoebox Project and make sure to indicate that the donation is for Campbell River.