Blessing Boxes or Tiny Pantries have been around for some time now. The idea is that people who need things – grocery or household items – can take them; people who have extra can put it in the boxes for others to pick up.
Thanks to Ballard County Schools' Teen Focus Youth Service Center, its director Tina Armer and her family, and Ballard County Community Education, there are now three more boxes in Ballard County. The three new boxes are located at First Christian Church in Wickliffe, Barlow United Methodist Church, and Kevil First Baptist Church.
Armer’s sons, Ryan and Tracy Dalton Armer, and her husband, Tracy, built the boxes. West Kentucky Glass donated Lexan and plexiglass for the closeable doors, and Community Education funded the initial purchase of items so the boxes wouldn’t start out empty.
“We tried to get things for all family members – non-perishable food items, laundry detergent, dish liquid, even baby items like food, diapers, and formula,” Armer said. “When school gets underway again, Teen Focus will have student interns who can help keep the boxes clean, and organize food collections for stocking."
Until then – and even after – the community is invited to help keep the boxes stocked.
“When fresh produce is ready this summer, I plan to get some baskets to hang from the bottom of the boxes, so people can leave vegetables, too,” Armer added.
For more information, please contact Armer at tina.armer@ballard.kyschools.us, or call 270-665-8400.
