How to Pack a Shoe Box

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.