Santa Shoebox Project Celebrates 20 Years. Calling on schools and ECDs to apply to the Santa Shoebox Project in 2026. Cape Town, 26 March 2026 – As the Santa Shoebox Project (SSP) marks its milestone 20th anniversary, the organisation is officially inviting schools and Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres across South Africa to apply to become beneficiaries of their 2026 campaign.

The Santa Shoebox Project was founded in 2006, and for two decades has shared joy and restored dignity by delivering more than 1.35 million personalised shoeboxes – filled with sanitary items, stationery, treats and toys – to underprivileged and socially vulnerable children. The project also uses donor funding to build and refurbish ECDs in rural areas and install reading corners in urban and rural schools all over South Africa, in addition to training teachers and supporting schools to reach their early childhood development goals.

Filling the gap in a country marked by inequality 

Deb Zelezniak, CEO of the Santa Shoebox Project, says the project’s work is as important and urgent as ever, considering that six out of 10 children still live below the poverty line in South Africa. “The G20 Global Inequality Report highlights a stark divide in educational opportunity: while a child from a wealthy family has a 1-in-2 chance of studying beyond secondary school, those odds drop to 1-in-40 for boys in poverty and a startling 1-in-100 for girls. Early intervention is therefore absolutely critical.”

Zelezniak says their work reaches communities across South Africa, but particular attention is paid to under-resourced rural areas because the need is so great. “We’re seeing a very stark chasm of opportunity in South Africa. What is particularly concerning is that we have 8.8 million children in rural communities where ECD centres often operate in survival mode without basic infrastructure or educational materials. That’s where we step in and help.”

Recognising that quality early education is the most powerful catalyst to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty, the Santa Shoebox Project is now officially inviting schools and ECD centres across the nation to apply to become beneficiaries in 2026.

How to apply to become a Santa Shoebox beneficiary organisation 

Applications for 2026 will open on Tuesday, 7th April and close on Thursday, 23rd April. Interested facilities must follow these steps:

• Register or log in: Visit santashoebox.org.za to create an online profile or log in using existing credentials.
• Complete the form: Go to https://santashoebox.org.za/beneficiaries/ and fill out the online application form in full. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and no changes can be made once submitted.
• Selection process: All applications are assessed against specific criteria. By mid-June, applicants will receive an SMS confirming whether their application was successful.

Selection criteria: Applicants need to fulfil certain selection criteria to improve their chances of being selected as beneficiaries this year.

• Facilities that can apply include schools and ECD centres, where there are official class rosters that can help identify beneficiary children by name, age and clothing size. Remember, Santa Shoeboxes are personalised for every child to ensure the children get clothing and other items they need.
• The project focuses specifically on pre-school, Gr R, Gr 7 and Gr 11 learners, because these are pivotal ages when children need the items in the box to succeed in the next phase of their education.
• Educational facilities in both urban and rural areas may apply, but facilities in rural areas serving vulnerable children who have not received shoeboxes in the past will be prioritised.
• Each educational facility must be a reliable partner – and able to ensure that each child on the list safely receives their specific, personalised box.
• Beneficiaries need to align with the Santa Shoebox Project’s values and goals – and should not be receiving similar support from other organisations.
• The Santa Shoebox is open to South African beneficiaries. Please note that as of 2026, Santa Shoeboxes are no longer distributed in Namibia.

“The shoeboxes provide practical necessities many families cannot afford, ensuring children feel seen and valued,” says Zelezniak. “We look forward to partnering with facilities that share our commitment to uplifting South Africa’s youth in 2026. We also invite members of the community in every corner of SA to join us and volunteer – it’s the most magical experience and a chance to be part of our beautiful story.”