Individuals

Launched in 1999 by les Samaritains asbl of Brussels, the campaign donated nearly 10,000 shoe boxes for the homeless and the poor of Belgium in 2010 ! These gifts are distributed by various charitable associations during the year-end holiday season (Les Samaritains, Les Restos du Cœur, Poverello…).

This year, Les Samaritains have established an even closer link to the Restos du Cœur of Belgium. To allow more donators to participate:

the restos will serve as storage locations !

How to prepare the shoe box ?

The shoe boxes contain 8 or 9 food items and beverages (non-alcoholic, non-perishable, easy to open and ready to eat) and a season’s greetings card. When filled, they are wrapped as Christmas gifts.

For more info, see the page Boxes

Where to bring the shoe boxes ?

The shoe boxes are to be deposited in one of the storage locations listed on the page storage locations. Talk it over with your friends to arrange to group your donations and drop them off at one of the storage locations.

To discover the storage location closest to you, see the page Storage Locations

Who distributes the boxes ?

The boxes are distributed to the homeless and the poor by the Restos du Cœur, Poverello, Nativitas, the Samu Social, Ange gardien, La Fontaine, Chez Nous/Bij Ons, the Spanish Mission, the CPAS of Schaerbeek… and, of course, by Les Samaritains on New Year’s eve.

Results ?

Thanks to the generosity of our donators, the campaign collected and distributed

• in 2006 : 2850 boxes
• in 2007 : 6265 boxes
• in 2008 : 7355 boxes
• in 2009 : 9890 boxes
• in 2010 : 9522 boxes

to the homeless and poor of Belgium.

In 2010, a study showed that 1 Belgian out of 7 i.e. 14.7 % of the population or a total of 1,500,000 people live below poverty level with a monthly income of 899 € or less for a single person. The Christmas presents are intended for these people!

Ever better results ?

Thanks to you, we can collect even more boxes …

To discover how, see the page Spread the word