It’s that time of the year again- ShoeBox Project!
History:
In 2000, Roberta Vander Molen (Birdie) wanted a simple service project to teach her Sunday
School students the importance of giving. That year her students filled a little red wagon full of
canned goods and walked it to the Niles Township Food Pantry. The following year canned
goods were replaced with “Goodie bags” filled with treats, a holiday tradition Birdie cherished
as a little girl raised with a German Mennonite upbringing. In 2010, Birdie felt she needed to
do more and added a shoe box providing families with an unexpected gift of products that
cannot be purchased with food stamps, along with a “Goodie bag” filled with holiday treats.
2018 Goal:
Through the generosity of many, the Shoe Box Project has grown from a little red wagon to a
production that requires hundreds of volunteers and two sizable delivery trucks. This year’s
project consists of 1,600 plastic shoeboxes filled with personal care items, household products
and 1,600 Goodie bags filled with fruit, nuts and candies. These gifts are distributed by our
charity partners, Niles Township Food Pantry (located across the street from our office) and
Breakthrough Urban Ministries (located in East Garfield Park).
How you can Help:
Assembly:
The assembly of these gifts will be on Sunday afternoon, December 9th starting at 2 p.m. This
event is intended to be a family event and children are welcome.
Donations:
There are three ways to donate
· Cash Donations are highly appreciated
· Sponsor a product or treat, please see the attached Sponsorship List
· Donate your time
Thank you for joining us in this important work, together we can make a difference.
Please share with your friends and families. Everyone is welcome!
