Manitoba's finance minister is foregoing the new shoes and opting for a shoebox.

It is tradition for Canadian finance ministers to get a new pair of kicks when releasing a budget, but this time around Cameron Friesen and some fellow members of government are supporting the Manitoba chapter of The Shoebox Project for Shelters.

Alex Todd is the co-ordinator for The Shoebox Project for Shelters, supported by Dream.

"Initiatives such as this -- what the minister (is doing) -- I still smile, because I think it's such a creative and innovative idea... it's beyond words," she says.

The Shoebox Project for Shelters collects and distributes gifts in shoeboxes to women who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.

Todd says the boxes contains essentials and more, like "things that would be considered luxurious, especially for women who are challenged by circumstance and finance and everything. Even that little stick of lip gloss or a really pretty lotion -- there really aren't words to describe it and it's so humbling to know that it can be such a difference in someone's life."

People can make their own shoeboxes and donate them to the project; boxes and their contents are to be valued at about $50, and a list of suggested items can be found on the group's website. Todd asks that donors write a message of inspiration to go inside the box, as well.
Finance minister Friesen is challenging Manitoba businesses to participate in the shoebox project. The Legislative Building will be an official drop-off location until April 30th.

The government will release its budget at the Legislature this afternoon.