Street Hope Victoria - Christmas appeal

    Dear Street Hope Victoria friends,

The days are shorter, the nights colder, and Christmas is fast approaching! 

Every year because of your kindness, SHV gives out Christmas shoeboxes to people who are living their lives on or around Pandora. Because of your generosity we gave out over double the Christmas shoeboxes from the year previous – thank you so much for this!

Last Christmas was my first year giving out our Christmas presents, and to see the expressions on people’s faces, and gratitude in their voices was wonderful, but also deeply saddening. I remember one man who was so hesitant to take the shoebox because he hadn’t received a gift in so many years. I know this was many others' story as well, and that this might have been the only Christmas present some would receive that year.  

As Christians, when we give and receive gifts we are reminded of the greatest gift and gift giver - our Lord Jesus. Through the giving of presents we remind people that they are loved and valued not just by us, but by Jesus, the one who was born as a baby in Bethlehem for the world’s sake, and the one whose love is so abundant and strong that “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation” can separate them or us from it. 

This year instead of asking for shoeboxes we’d love to give out drawstring bags with goodies wrapped in Christmas paper inside.

You can buy drawstring bags in bulk from certain retailers if you’re donating as a church or homegroup. Or if you’re handy with a needle and thread please feel free to make your own personalised one. 

What items can I put in my drawstring bag?

• A Christmas card with an encouraging message in it. 
• Soft granola / cereal / protein bars 
• Small packs of nuts
• Cracker packs 
• Small boxes of trail mix / raisins / fruit leather
• Cans of fruit / pudding with a pull tab opening 
• Plastic spoons, forks, or knives to go with the food. 
• Chocolate bars / cookies 
• Juice boxes
• Small notepad & pen
• Socks, gloves, and hat
• Foil emergency blanket
• Hand warmers
• Gift card for a coffee shop
• Toiletries (travel size): toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, razors, lotions, Kleenex, wet wipes, comb or brush.

The deadline for our Christmas appeal this year is Thursday 7th December. We’ll be giving out the presents on the 11th and 18th of December. Please send me an email or give me a call to arrange a drop off time. If you’d like to join us for an evening giving out the Christmas presents, please let me know as well - it would be great to have you!

Thank you for Praying & Giving!

Please continue to pray for SHV and the people living on Pandora especially as the days and night gets colder. Pray that through our words and actions we may be able to share the warmth and love of Jesus and they may know his great love for them. 

Thank you for your support!

In Christ, 
Deborah

Deborah Moyo
Outreach Director
Street Hope Victoria
(888) 316-8169 ext. 4

deborah@thresholdministries.ca