Blessings boxes offer goods to the needy, thanks to an idea from the mayor’s wife
A pair of small, white wooden boxes in downtown Smithville now offer snacks, toiletries and canned goods to anyone in need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Called “blessings boxes,” the miniature houses are an effort by the Smithville Noon Lions Club to reach its hands out to the community. Stocked on its shelves are toothpaste, juice boxes, first-aid kits and ramen noodles. Residents can place anything in the boxes, and those who wish can stop by and take what they need.
The motto is leave what you can and take what you need, Lions Club board member and Smithville Mayor Scott Saunders said.
His wife, Leah, came up with the idea this year after seeing similar programs in other cities on Facebook.
“The food pantry is only open three hours once a week,” Saunders said. “What are people doing in the meantime?” Leah thought the blessings boxes would be a good way to fill the gap.
The two boxes have been placed at the Smithville Community Gardens on Rivers Street and at Harts Chapel on Martin Luther King Road. And they were cleared out shortly after after they were first set up.
“We knew at first it was going to be hard to keep them stocked,” Saunders said. “Especially before the holidays.”
The Lions Club is working hard to keep them full through Christmas, but they will be a permanent fixture in the community.
Both boxes were crafted by local resident Joe Anthony Navarro at the request of the mayor.
“I felt very honored and proud to be able to do something like that,” Navarro said. “I know what they will mean to the community.”
Anyone wanting to donate can drop an item in the box or email Saunders at ssaunders@ci.smithville.tx.us.