Shoebox Project helps women in need

By Toyin Obatusin - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on December 18, 2024.

Herald photo by Toyin Obatusin Cory Duncan of Streets Alive Mission and Ed Thompson of the Shoebox Project help with a delivery of donated shoeboxes this week at Streets Alive Mission. The project's Christmas campaign seeks to help women who are experiencing homelessness.

The Shoe Box Project dropped off shoe boxes to Streets Alive Mission on Monday as part of their Christmas initiative to give back to women who are experiencing homelessness, regardless of age.

Helen and Ed Thompson of the Lethbridge chapter of the Shoe Box Project dropped off their final bunch of shoeboxes with pastor Ken Kissick, Chief Development Officer Jennifer Lepko and support staff member Cory Duncan of the mission.

The Shoebox Project has supported the Streets Alive Mission for many years, boxing everyday essentials that can be taken for granted.

“Just nice little packages that we can give to the women in our programs, just make them feel loved and know that they are important and cared about as people,” said Lepko.

“We are pleased to be the conduit to which the Shoebox Project gets to the individuals in which they intended.”

In these boxes were items such as underwear, deodorant, shampoos and conditioners – things women may need simply to meet their basic needs to survive.

Helen Thompson, the Lethbridge local coordinator, also took boxes to the YWCA last week with Streets Alive being their final stop.

Old Navy donated 37 boxes and with readymade boxes and cash donations creating 55 more, a total of 92 boxes were delivered.

Streets Alive offers a lot of programs that are used to “empower and restore dignity”, while helping clients make better decisions throughout their day.

Kissick, co-founder of Streets Alive and pastor of Freedom Church,” says “Streets Alive is here to provide for the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs. The old adage that Jesus is the reason for the season, the reality is, the season is all about those things that we learn in advent, hope, peace, love and joy.”