Outdoor 'Blessing Box' Hopes to Meet Hunger Needs In Winston-Salem Neighborhood

A Winston-Salem church has opened a food pantry in their front yard to help feed hungry people. It's called the "blessing box," and it's filled with more than just food.

The 3-foot tall cabinet made of wood with glass windows is hard to miss. It stands near the entrance of Ardmore Moravian Church.

“We've got peanut butter here, some dried beans, pasta...” says head pastor Chaz Snider.

He says church members built the pantry to help their neighbors. It's also stocked with toiletries and seasonal items including hats and gloves.

There's even a pen and paper to write prayer requests. Snider says the church stocks the items, but now others in the community are chipping in, as well.

“We have a simple note in here that says ‘Take what you need, bring what you can, above all be blessed,'" says Snider. "That message kind of sums up the box really well. People have come and used it. There's poverty close by and there's a big need for that. But people have come and taken stuff and then come a week later and restocked it, so it's been great.”

Snider says other organizations have contacted him about the experience. He hopes the "blessing box" will be replicated in more communities throughout the Triad.

“They have the little libraries set up around communities, and so we would love to see this almost mirror that same thing.”

The "blessing box" opened last month and is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

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