If there’s a school, creche or child-focused organisation that you know could do with some joy, we’ve got good news! The Santa Shoebox Project has opened beneficiary applications:
South Africa (03 April 2025) — Every year, the Santa Shoebox Project helps spread joy to children who most need it. Through their special shoeboxes (filled with goodies both fun and essential), youngsters get to enjoy receiving helpful gifts over the festive season—a time when many of them would not be receiving anything. In good news, beneficiary applications are officially open; meaning you can put forward a school, creche, or child-focused organisation that you work with or think would love to receive Santa Shoeboxes!
“This is your chance to bring joy, hope, and essential gifts to the little ones in your care,” the Santa Shoebox Project team shared.
How to Get on the Santa Shoebox Team’s Radar:
The beneficiary applications will close on the last Thursday of April (24 April this year), so it’s best to get a head start.
Steps to Follow:
- If you have an online profile with SSP (Santa Shoebox Project) login here with the same details. If you don’t have a profile yet, you can register here. (If you’ve forgotten your password, you can reset it under the forgot password section).
- Once you’re in, complete the application form.
- Once you’ve submitted, you won’t be able to make changes, so double check that all the information is correct BEFORE submitting. Additionally, incomplete applications won’t be considered.
Important Info:
Remember, this part is just an application, not a guarantee (the team receive way more applications than the amount of shoeboxes distributed).
All applications are assessed against different criteria (ie: it’s not a matter of first-come-first-serve). This criteria includes:
- Whether there are donors and sponsors to fulfil the application
- Whether the facility is rural
- Whether the facility receives any other support
- If the application is in line with the Project’s goals and objectives
- If the schools near your Sunday School or Community Centre receive shoeboxes for the children in their care
- If the facility is able to meet the custodian agreement. This is asking whether the facility is able to ensure that the Santa Shoeboxes will be safely received by the agreed recipient child on behalf of donors/sponsors.
- Make sure you’re contactable should a SSP rep ask you for more information.
- Those with successful applications will be contacted by mid-June via SMS.