Shoebox Ministry, Inc.

Program: Toiletries and undergarments for the homeless.

Program Description:

Over twenty years ago, Shoebox Ministry started as one person helping others. Shoebox Ministry is an ongoing program that distributes a monthly average of 750 toiletry kits designated for a man, woman, family or woman with children.   Now this flourishing outreach program touches the lives of thousands of people, having distributed 120,037 toiletry kits to 335,727 people since our beginning. With each passing year the generosity of individuals, civic organizations and corporations grows ever-stronger, helping Shoebox Ministry and its network of volunteers expand their service to touch the lives of those in need. 

Our primary goal is to provide personal hygiene kits to the homeless and working poor of Maricopa County. This is done through our ongoing program that distributed 10,960 toiletry kits (a $262,929 value) last fiscal year. Our program runs throughout the year. It’s estimated that there are 15,000 homeless and 650,000 working poor in Arizona, so to meet the personal hygiene need of this population, Shoebox Ministry would need to distribute 15,000 toiletry kits each month. Our program is desperately needed and the need is ongoing.

Without our program most of the homeless and working poor population we serve would be without personal hygiene items. Some of the homeless agencies have a small selection of personal hygiene products, but they do not have complete kits. Personal hygiene is important for health purposes, as well as self-esteem and employment opportunities. Imagine living on the streets and having to go without brushing your teeth or being able to wash. The opportunity for disease is greatly increased. Imagine looking for employment in that situation and your chances for being successful. Although we provide a valuable service, we are only scratching the surface of the demand. A non-homeless person would only have to forgo the use of these personal hygiene products for a few days to realize how essential they really are.

Secondary programs include annual Mother’s Day Purse, undergarment and sock drives. We also accept donations of used clothing, shoes, linens and misc. household items and distribute them to the agencies and shelters. All donations are distributed to the agency at no cost to the agency or their clients.

Program Long-Term Success:

Qualitative results will be visible and make a substantial impact when an individual has a toothbrush and toothpaste, a bar of soap and deodorant, lotion to combat the effects of the environment, a brush and comb, necessary basic tools and products to promote personal hygiene and improved self image.

Program Short-Term Success:

Through the distribution of personal hygiene kits from Shoebox Ministry, this basic need of Maricopa County's homeless and working poor will be met.

Program Success Monitored by:

The change is reported by the agencies we serve when their clients are able to feel better about themselves and feel confident about exploring training and employment opportunities.

Program Success Examples:

A thank you letter from The Community Housing Partnership agency once included a success story relevant to Shoebox Ministry and it’s program of providing those in need with personal hygiene kits.

Your donation is greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking your time to put all of these awesome shoeboxes together. We pray the Lord will bless your ministry in abundance and continue to prosper your works in aiding the homeless. Many people are blessed by your ministry, including myself.

About 4 years ago my family and I were homeless and in need of a helping hand. We walked into the C.H.P. office very discouraged. The help my three sons and I received was awesome. We were so blessed. They gave each one of us a shoebox and in the shoebox we found everything we needed including a coin purse full of quarters to wash our clothes. We went back to our motel feeling blessed that the Lord again met our needs through faithful people such as yourself. Now my boy’s and I are doing well. I work at Community Housing Partnership in the administration department. I am able to assist in giving others a chance as I was once given 4 years ago. Thank you again.

R.M. Perez