United Way Women’s Legacy is gearing up for the third annual Shoebox Project. Each year, individuals and companies throughout the metro area donate shoeboxes filled with toiletries to be given to homeless women and children in our community on Valentine’s Day. Last year more than 10,000 shoeboxes were collected and distributed to 48 homeless shelters across the 13-county region United Way serves. United Way in Coweta & Fayette Counties collected 325 shoeboxes from Coweta and Fayette last year. These shoeboxes were distributed to local women and children’s shelters, in addition to Coweta County DFACS.

Homeless women and children represent a growing population in our community. Conservative estimates predict that women and children account for one-third of the homeless population. The Shoebox Project is one way in which the community can help meet the basic needs of homeless women and children.

“At the heart of the Shoebox Project is a desire to raise awareness about the alarming increase in homeless women in our community, while providing them with the most basic items to meet their needs—needs that all women can relate to and all women share,” said Natalie Evans, director, United Way Women’s Legacy. “The women of United Way Women’s Legacy are committed to bettering the lives of all women and children throughout the metro area, providing resources and a voice to women unable to speak for themselves.”

Ways you can help:

Fill a shoebox with a combination of new, unopened items from the list posted on unitedwayatlanta.org/womenslegacy. To allow for safety inspections, please make sure your box can be opened.

Host your own shoebox party, and invite friends, neighbors, civic groups, church members, and others, to decorate and fill shoeboxes together.

For more information, contact United Way in Fayette County, Lori Jarman, office manager, at 770-254-3755.

login to post comments