Giving Machine, Shoebox make holiday giving easy

By Lethbridge Herald on November 26, 2025.

Alexandra Noad
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In almost every Christmas movie, the antagonist often learns the true meaning of Christmas is often helping others and spreading joy.

Right here in Lethbridge, there are many ways to give back and bring holiday cheer for those in the community who are less fortunate.

While many initiatives help children, there are others which focus on helping adults who are experiencing homelessness.

The Shoebox Project for Women Holiday Drive is currently running until Dec. 13.

This is the third campaign for Lethbridge and Helen Thompson, volunteer co-ordinator for The Shoebox Project, says this year they hope to double the number of boxes donated compared to last year.

“We’re really growing, I think in our first year we had 50 boxes and last year we had over 100.”

For the Shoebox Project, donors provide their own box, which they can decorate, with the recommended size being similar to a shoebox and fill it with $50 worth of items one would purchase for a woman in their life.

Some recommended items for the box include basic necessities such as deodorant and body wash along with some little luxuries such as accessories, journal and some warm clothing.

There are some exceptions of things allowed in the shoebox to protect the women receiving them which include sharp objects such as razors and tweezers; anything with alcohol including hand sanitizer and mouthwash and anything that is sized.

The Shoebox Project also includes a note with words of encouragement to go along with the box. Thompson says it helps women feel seen during the darkest times in their life.

“Lots of women have sent in testimonies to the Shoebox Project head office and they say it makes them feel like somebody sees them and cares about them.”

The boxes donated in Lethbridge can be dropped off at Décor out the Door in downtown Lethbridge and will be given to women at the YWCA Harbour House and Streets Alive.

Those who don’t have the time to shop but want to have a similar experience can purchase an item at the Giving Machines, which is back at Park Place Mall for a second year.

These vending machines, located at the Winners entrance, include cards for items for local and international charities.

Giving Machines were founded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints back in 2017 can be found in 126 cities around the world, with Lethbridge being one of the smallest.

Despite the size, the people of Lethbridge showed their generosity with 1,200 transactions being made in their inaugural year.

The church covers 100 per cent of the cost of the giving machine including advertising, transportation and the cost of the machines themselves, allowing all donations to go directly to the charity.

Richard Low serves as chair of the Lethbridge Giving Machine Committee alongside his wife Gayle.

Low says the Giving Machine brings a unique experience for those wanting to spread the joy.

“You can actually kind of think in your mind ‘okay that’s actually going to go to that person for that purpose’, it’s a good feeling (and) it’s a neat experience.”

He adds that being able to visualize what exactly you’re donating to provides a more personal experience, which he got to see first-hand last year when a cheque presentation turned into a pyjama shopping spree for Wood’s Homes

Along with having a unique giving experience, the Giving Machine also provides entertainment and have volunteers who are more than happy to chat about the initiative and have a card of the item you donated.

Each year he Giving Machines help out five local charities, including The Family Centre, Interfaith Food Bank, My City Care, Lethbridge Soup Kitchen and the Boys and Girls Club. The two international charities are Care Canada and UNICEF.

The prices of the items vary from a $5 to $125.

Low says the Giving Machine committee works closely with city officials each year to choose charities which address the priorities of the city.

Despite being in a less central location in the mall compared to last year, Low says donations are still on par from last year and is expecting another successful year of the Giving Machine in Lethbridge.

The Giving Machine will be available until Dec. 8 and donations will be distributed via cheque presentation in the new year.