Support needed for local project to help women impacted by homelessness
Local resident Kerri Murphy is seeking support from the Kawartha Lakes Community in her efforts to reduce the feelings of isolation and loneliness faced by women impacted by homelessness.
Murphy is the local coordinator of The Shoebox Project for Women, a national non-profit organization which collects and distributes gift-filled shoeboxes to local women impacted by homelessness. This is Murphy’s third year volunteering with the organization locally, and her first year taking leadership of the Kawartha Lakes chapter.
Due to the heightened risks associated with COVID-19, the Shoebox Project is operating differently this 2020 holiday season.
However, there are still a variety of ways to contribute:
1. Make a donation to City of Kawartha Lakes (CKL) Shoebox Project by clicking here.
3. As an alternative to online donation, consider purchasing a gift card yourself, for use at local restaurants, grocery/drug stores or your favourite small business. Once purchased, drop off your gift card with an encouraging note to one of the following centrally located retail locations in the Kawartha Lakes: Cathy Allan Ladies Wear, Paradiso Boutique or The Kawartha Store.
If choosing gift-card drop-off, ensure the value of the card is clearly marked on the card, and that the receipt of sale and activation code accompany the card as well.
4. Drop off a cheque addressed to “The Shoebox Project for Women – City of Kawartha Lakes” at any one of the retail locations above.
5. Start a fundraiser on GoFundMe or CanadaHelps in honour of the holiday season, #GivingTuesday or any other occasion.
They are not accepting cash or shoebox donations at local drop-off locations this year.
There is “no preference as to the ways people choose to donate,” explains Murphy. However, “it would certainly be nice to have more visitors to the supporting retail locations.”
Regardless of the method of donation, 100% of funds raised go into purchasing $25 or $50 value gift cards for women connected to our local shelters.
“If you aren’t in the position to give this year, we completely understand,” adds Murphy. “Another great way of helping is to simply share this email, follow The Shoebox Project on social media, and help us get the word out on this meaningful campaign.”
Murphy welcomes the community to contact her if they have any questions, or if they have any ideas on how to best engage the community’s support. She can be reached at .
