Today’s Logan County Spotlight is on blessing boxes.
Logan County has blessing boxes that are available to the public. Blessing boxes are placed outdoors so that those who may need something receive a blessing from someone who donated it.
Items in blessing boxes are typically non-perishable food items, paper products, basic toiletries, feminine products, or anything else that someone in need could use. They are available 24/7.
If in need, you may take items anonymously as there’s no procedure to get something from blessing boxes.
In our community, there are several in the area:
Huntsville Presbyterian Church Blessing Box (6490 Fruit St, Huntsville)
- This is the newest addition in the county as it was installed three weeks ago. It’s located right in the church parking lot. Members of the IL OHP/FFA placed the box there to serve the community. It is stocked with personal hygiene items as well as some non-perishable food items.
Indian Lake Community Church (ILCC) Blessing Box (329 East Main St, Russells Point)
- This blessing box is located on the side where the Gathering Grounds coffee shop parking is. ILCC carries non-perishable food items such as cereal, pasta sauces, canned meats, soup, peanut butter, etc. Donations are accepted as food has been moving very quickly. Hygiene items can be donated as well. The motto is, “Take what you need and leave what you can.” Please drop donations off at the office anytime Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Lewistown-Trinity United Methodist Church and United Christian Services Blessing Box (8088 County Road 54, P.O. Box 134, Lewistown)
- Some of the items available are cleaning and personal hygiene items, such as laundry detergent, fabric softener, paper towels, shaving cream, toothbrushes, etc. This box is located on the east outside wall of the Fellowship Hall. There is also a prayer request drop box attached to it if you have a prayer request. The purpose of this blessing box is to enable the church to reach more people in need, make items available that can’t be purchased with food stamps or rarely given out at a food pantry, and enable them to reach out to people who need more than just material things with prayers.
Shelley Stephenson Ministries Blessing Box at the Christ Covenant Church (400 Ludlow Rd, Bellefontaine)
- This blessing box accepts all non-perishable food and personal hygiene items. Currently, the church is low on inventory and demand is high. The blessing box is funded and filled by Shelley Stephenson Ministries. It’s located right in front of the church.
The Women’s Blessing Box (8088 County Road 54, P.O. Box 134, Lewistown)
- This box is located directly behind the Lewistown-Trinity United Methodist Church, and it is not church-affiliated. It’s filled with women’s hygiene and beauty items and is restocked every week. Medication or sharp objects such as razors are not kept in the box.
There have been blessing boxes that have suffered from theft from those who take items that may not have as big of a need as others do. It’s encouraged to only take items as needed, and if possible, leave something for someone else in the box to return the blessing. Also, it’s recommended that if you choose to donate to not give away food that is expired or stale.
The churches keep an eye on the blessing boxes. If they get low, the churches or whoever’s in charge of the box refill it if they have the means to do so.
Some items commonly placed in the blessing boxes are cereal, canned soup, crackers, dried fruit, soap, toothbrushes/toothpaste, deodorant, paper towels, toilet paper, gloves/hats/scarves, etc.
We are thankful for the blessing boxes in our community.
