The Blessing Box at Canton Church of the Brethren

Originally shared by Illinois and Wisconsin District

It all started a couple of years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit goes to Jackie Davis for sharing a project she ran across in one of her magazines. She knew that Canton (Ill.) Church of the Brethren was looking for ways to make a positive impact in the Canton community, so she decided to explain about the movement of providing assistance to families in need by installing a Blessing Box.

After Ray Cleer built, painted, and installed the box, a committee was formed to be in charge of making sure the box is stocked with food and everyday supplies for families in the neighborhood.

According to Lori Beecham, chair of the committee that oversees this project, “I participate to help fill the needs of individuals in our community. I thought it was a good idea when Jackie came up with it. The need for these has increased due to grocery prices that are rising all of the time.”

Beecham works together with Tammy Kessler and Theresa Wilcoxen to let the congregation know what items are needed. She said that currently the box could definitely use a variety of toiletry supplies. Examples of foods that are in demand include canned goods like meals, soup, pasta, canned meat, and other choices that do not need to be refrigerated.

Beecham, Kessler, and Wilcoxen have even offered to take monetary donations and do the shopping for donors. Working together on this project is making a positive difference in our neighborhood!

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