How to Pack a Shoe Box
Follow these simple steps...
Select a shoe box
Use a regular-sized shoe box or pliable plastic box. If wrapping your shoe box, please wrap the lid separately.
Boy or Girl?
Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14.
Fill your shoe box
Fill your shoe box with a well-balanced variety of items from the following categories:
- School Supplies - Items such as pencils, pens, pencil crayons, note pads, and picture books
- Toys & Other Gifts - Items such as stuffed animals, small musical instruments, hair clips, toy jewelry, t-shirts, socks, and candy (loose, individually wrapped hard candy in a sealable bag)
- Hygiene Items - Please place soap in a sealable bag
- Personal Note - Include a personal note and/or a photo in your shoe box (not inside the donation envelope)
DO NOT INCLUDE:
- Toothpaste (due to customs regulations)
- Food and any chewy, crumbly, or soft candy: Including gum (due to customs regulations)
- Used items (due to customs regulations)
- Playing cards
- Liquids or items that could leak, melt, freeze, or break – Shampoo, creams, lip balm, bath gels, mirrors, or glass, etc. (these can damage other items in the shoe box).
- Items that can scare or harm a child – War-related toys, knives, and toy guns, etc.
Make your Donation
Please donate a minimum of $7 for each shoe box you prepare to help cover project costs, including shipping. Simply make your donation online or place a cheque or cash donation in an envelope inside your shoe box.
Drop off your shoe box(es)
There are hundreds of drop-off locations across Canada. You can use our drop-off location locator tool to find the drop-off location nearest to you.
