As the city gears up for winter, the Santa Shoebox Project (SSP) is already planning for a joyful December, marking its 20th anniversary with a call for schools and early childhood development (ECD) centres across the Western Cape to apply to become beneficiaries of the project.
For two decades, the SSP has been a beacon of hope, delivering over 1.35 million personalised shoeboxes to vulnerable children nationwide.
These boxes are packed with essential items, including stationery, sanitary products, treats, and a toy, offering a measure of dignity and support to children living below the poverty line.
Deb Zelezniak, chief executive officer of the SSP, said the project plays a vital role in addressing educational inequality, especially in under-resourced communities often found in rural parts of the province.
"In South Africa, the odds of a child in poverty studying beyond secondary school are tragically low. Quality early intervention, which includes providing children with the necessary resources to thrive in school, is the most powerful catalyst we have to break the cycle of poverty," she said.
This year, the SSP is extending its reach, not only by providing shoeboxes but also by using donor funding to support permanent change through building, renovating, and installing reading corners in local ECD centres.
Western Cape schools and ECDs are officially invited to apply to become beneficiaries for the 2026 campaign.
Applications are open from Tuesday, April 7, until Thursday, April 23.
Priority will be given to facilities with official class rosters that serve vulnerable children, particularly those supporting pupils in pre-school, Grade R, Grade 7, and Grade 11 - pivotal ages in a child's educational journey.
Facilities in rural areas that have not received shoeboxes in the past are highly encouraged to apply.
Interested organisations must register or log in at santashoebox.org.za and complete the online application form in full before the closing date.
For more information, visit the Santa Shoebox Project on social media platforms.
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