Carpenter's Shelter Benefits from United Way's Shoebox Project

in Old Town was one of 24 local nonprofits to receive donations from United Way of the National Capital Area's inaugural Shoebox Project.

Volunteers assembled, decorated and sorted more than 2,000 shoeboxes that were filled with personal care and emergency preparedness items. Local nonprofit organizations will then distribute them to their communities. 

“Our single facility is one of the largest, with about 80 beds, so we really rely on donors and volunteers to help bring in toiletry items for our clients,” said Courtney Bishop, volunteer coordinator with Carpenter's Shelter. “Generally, toiletry items are not things we have a budget for, and it is often hard for clients to get these items on their own.”

Other organizations in the area to receive shoeboxes are Housing and Community Services of Northern Virginia, HomeAid in Chantilly, Northern Virginia Family Service in McLean and Shelter House in Falls Church.

“The Shoebox Project offers a creative and compassionate way for caring communities to get vital items into the hands of individuals and families who are homeless or are struggling to simply pay the rent and electric bill each month,” said Bill Hanbury, United Way NCA president and CEO.

“Filled with items most of us take for granted, each shoebox is a personalized act of kindness and comfort that lets a vulnerable person in your neighborhood know they are not invisible or alone.”