In its partnership with the repository, every Monday, the Stark Community Foundation highlights positive community events. This is good news for Monday!
Hand-held learning has a whole new meaning for Louisville High School Woodshop students who have adopted skills they have learned across classrooms to make a big difference to their community.
Through collaboration with the Stark Blessing Box initiative, students used their woodworking talent to design and build two blessing boxes to be placed in nearby communities.
Blessing Box is a small community-based structure that allows people to anonymously donate and pick up essential items. These boxes are usually located in common areas and stock fresh food, toiletries and other essentials to help individuals facing difficulties.
The project allowed students to instill a sense of craftsmanship, empathy and social responsibility.
“Our students aren’t just learning to build, they’re learning why it matters,” said Jeff Hoffman, Louisville Highwood Shop instructor. “These blessing boxes serve as a lifeline for those in need, and we couldn’t be proud of the dedication and heart that our students put into this project.”
Founded in 2019 by Maiharriese Wooden, the goal of the Stark Blessing Box initiative is to meet the basic short-term needs for those who don’t always have access to items that help them reach on a daily basis. In doing so, hope is to reduce food insecurity in the Food Desert and provide assistance to invisible, inadequate people.
Anyone can bring or bring items into the blessing box. This shows that it enhances the sense of the neighbourhood community they are located in. The boxes are supported through donations from organizations, but many become almost self-sufficient within a year.
Residents fill the blessing box with multiple items of unwanted items received at the local pantry, items sold at the grocery store.
Canned items such as fruits, soups, meats and pasta sauces are popular choices along with dry goods such as cereals, side dishes, seasonings and seasonings. Household goods, cleaning products, personal hygiene products and baby items are also contributed.
Today, there are 37 blessing boxes around Stark County, Cuyahoga Falls and Cleveland, with plenty of plans to continue expanding.
For more information about the Stark Blessing Box initiative and box location list, visit www.starkblessingbox.com.
The Stark Community Foundation helps individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits achieve their philanthropic goals. Visit www.starkcf.org.
