Have you ever wanted to fill a simple need in someone’s life but weren’t sure how? You can be a blessing to someone else’s life with the many Blessing Boxes located throughout Greenfield and Hancock County. Sponsored by several different community-based organizations as well as regular citizens, these little spaces seek to offer local residents just what they need in a convenient and nonjudgemental way. 

What are Blessing Boxes?

Blessing Boxes are filled with nonperishable foods such as canned goods and crackers, as well as toiletries and household items for families in need of a little extra help. Boxes are accessible any time of day and are open to anyone. When you visit a Blessing Box location, you are welcome to take whatever may help you (no need to check in with any person or organization) or you can add items for others who may be in need. Blessing Boxes, also known as little free pantries or community food boxes, are part of a national movement of community service that you can find in many local neighborhoods these days. 

Who is maintaining them?

The many Blessing Boxes in Greenfield have caretakers ranging from churches to local nonprofits to individual community members. The Blessing Box in the Greenfield Police Department offers Greenfield residents a variety of food, toiletries and toilet paper available for anyone to take. It is checked and restocked monthly by a team of ten churches that span denominations, as well as two nonprofits. 

Love INC is one of the nonprofits that help to restock the police station’s Blessing Box, in addition to publicizing the boxes to residents via their website, phone clearinghouse and social media pages. Their unique approach to “filling the gap” for community members in need fits in well with the mission of our local Blessing Boxes.

Another set of Blessings Boxes in Riley Park were installed earlier this year by local residents Cheyenne Wells and Dianna Adams, along with help from the Greenfield Parks Department. Although this location started with just one box, demand grew so quickly that they now have one dedicated to nonperishable food and another for toiletries and household supplies. 

How can I help?

If you’d like to help community members in need, you can visit any of the Blessing Box locations below to donate food or toiletries. The Hancock County homeless population in particular would benefit from individually wrapped foods and bottles of water. If you’d like to donate something other than food, helpful items include diapers, deodorant, toilet paper, toothbrushes and toothpaste. As temperatures start to drop, cold-weather items like socks, gloves, hats and hand warmers will be especially appreciated.

Blessing Boxes Greenfield Locations

  • Greenfield Elk’s Lodge, 820 S. State St
  • Greenfield Police Station Lobby, 116 S. State St
  • Maple’s Mobile Home Park, 547 Pratt St
  • Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 1009 S. 100 E.
  • Riley Park Tennis Court, US 40 and Apple Street
  • Southwest Corner of Pennsylvania and South Streets

Photo credit: Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church