Blessing box mystery turns into movement

PHOTO PROVIDED BY TIFFANY MEAD
A blessing box – a small self-service food pantry – in a Barberton neighborhood that had been attached to the side of a building for years was recently repaired and days later was found destroyed.

By CHRISTINA McCUNE
BGNN managing editor

BARBERTON  What began as a mystery in this city turned into a movement – in a matter of days.

Like in neighboring cities, and other states and countries, blessing boxes – small self-service food pantries – have been in Barberton for years. Community members filled the boxes or cabinets with food items, some repaired them, and others depended on them.

Blessing boxes – which may go by other names in other communities – are appropriately named because they fill a need 24/7. Typically handmade from wood or other materials with shelves and a door to protect food from weather and animals, the boxes are a blessing to those who may not have transportation to other places, cannot visit food pantries during open hours, or have an emergency situation. Some people take food items and swap them for other food items.

Barberton resident Tiffany Mead said she has seen people of all ages relying on the boxes – from children to older residents. Mead is an administrator of a public Facebook group, Barberton Neighbors 2.0. The issue of missing boxes came to light last week in the group and much discussion grew out of it as well as a display of willingness of local individuals to lend a hand to help each other.

“It’s clear that people in this town love this city so much we have love enough for each other that a slight against one of us is a slight against all of us,” said Emily Beck, one of the council members whose ward previously had a blessing box.

Mead said there were about half a dozen blessing boxes in the city at one point. Some were by city parks. One still stands on private property at Towpath Trail School but it does not seem to be used as commonly by the general public as the others. Over the past six months or so, Mead said residents questioned the whereabouts of the boxes. Recently, residents began asking about two of the particularly popular and visible ones, which both had been used for years: one along 15th Street, and another at Second Street and Lake.

Mead reached out to council members in whose wards the blessing boxes were located.

Council President Rebecca Gearhart agreed with Beck’s sentiments highlighting the response from the community.

“Since this issue came to my attention, I’ve heard from residents and local churches who have expressed an interest in helping ensure that families in need continue to have access to food,” she said in an email. “I truly appreciate those individuals who have reached out with a willingness to be part of a solution, and I hope we can work together to identify the appropriate process for supporting those efforts moving forward.”

An online search for food pantries (for example, by typing in www.211summit.org) shows dozens of organizations in and around Barberton, Norton and Akron that help people in need. Locally, Barberton Area Community Ministries, Common Threads, The Salvation Army, churches and many others have food pantries.

Like Little Free Libraries, which are volunteer-led mini-libraries, blessing boxes are common around the world and are typically erected in outdoor public spaces easily accessible to people in need. In January 2018, Columbus Blessing Boxes Project began and the website at columbusblessingboxes.com shows 180 blessing box locations in the capital city.

Beck said she had noticed the blessing box which had been attached to the side of a private business in her ward had been taken down. Once discussion began online and people reached out to her she attempted to contact the property owner like others did. She still does not know specifically the reasoning why the box was removed and destroyed. The property may have changed hands since the box was first attached to the building. Beck said she spoke to someone who worked there and was told the box had been repeatedly vandalized and the property owner removed it. She was told someone apparently found the box in the trash and put it back up and the property owner removed it again.

Gearhart said in an email that the information she has regarding the blessing box in her ward came from the city’s service department after residents contacted her about its removal.

“I reached out to inquire, and I was advised that City crews removed the box while addressing turf damage on City property. At that time, the box was leaning, food had been scattered on the ground, and there was evidence that animals had gotten into it. I was also informed that the City retained the box and that it could be returned to its owner if requested.”

Gearhart referred specific questions about boxes being reinstalled, whether permits or approvals are required, and the process of placing boxes on private property to the planning, service and legal departments for official guidance.

“From my perspective as a council member, I appreciate the desire of residents to help neighbors in need, and I think it’s important that we understand the proper process so those efforts can continue safely and in accordance with City requirements,” Gearhart said.

Since discussion online about the boxes, Beck said Freedom Construction reached out to her about building two new boxes. Ignite Brewing contacted her about erecting a box on their property downtown. She was in contact with people about having a box at a location as close as possible to the original location.

Mead said Big Mike’s Automotive and Collision told her they would host a box and residents plan to build boxes.

Beck said she contacted the city planning director and learned that individuals may be permitted to put lending libraries, mini food pantries and blessing boxes on their property as long as they meet certain conditions such as not being in a right of way.

Beck said once the blessing boxes are re-established she would like the city to discuss guidelines for the boxes. In the meantime, residents and businesses have approached her about putting together a network to fill and maintain the boxes.

“The outpouring of support,” Beck said. “People have been messaging and wanting to help. … There are many businesses and people coming together to get it right.”