Parish opens ‘Blessing Box’ as a gift to people in need

Parishioners of all ages at Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Jeffersonville are excited to help individuals and families in need through the “Blessing Box” on the parish grounds. Hadly, left, and Hays Nickell pose by the stand-alone structure that is filled with non-perishable food items and toiletries that anyone in need can access at any time of day. (Submitted photo)

By John Shaughnessy

Father Doug Marcotte believes “there’s no better way to change a community than one small act of kindness at a time.”

So the pastor of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Jeffersonville embraced a plan from one of the parishioners to help individuals and families in the community when they don’t have enough food for their next meal.

The parishioner’s idea involved making a “Blessing Box”—a small, stand-alone structure that would be filled with non-perishable food items and toiletries that anyone in need could access at any time of day. The plan would also include placing the “Blessing Box” in a discreet setting on the parish grounds so no one would feel uncomfortable taking items from it.

“Everyone thought it was a great idea,” says Father Marcotte about the parish council’s approval of the plan. “It is an easy way to do one of the corporal works of mercy—to feed the hungry.

“One of the things that’s a reality is that there are always people who slip through the cracks. We’re not trying to be a food pantry. We’re hoping to provide for people who need a meal for their family today. It’s a need we regularly experience.”

The “Blessing Box” is one more way to help people in the community in Clark County, a county where 12 percent of the population and nearly 16 percent of children younger than 18 worry about their next meal, the pastor says.

Set up on Jan. 18, the “Blessing Box” was built by a parishioner and has been stocked by donations that include rice, pasta, canned goods, cereal and macaroni and cheese. Personal items such as socks, toothbrushes and deodorant have also been donated.

“People are excited about helping,” says Father Marcotte, who notes that people “often feel overwhelmed by the injustices of the world” that are presented in media reports and social media. “I think it’s important to let people know there’s a way to make a difference. If everyone took responsibility for their neighbors, there wouldn’t be as many problems in the world.”

Students in the parish school are also excited about contributing to the effort, says Father Marcotte, who is also pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Jeffersonville.

“One of the nice things is that this is a way everyone can be involved. If someone needs help, it’s available 24-7. And if someone wants to help, they can do it 24-7.

“The Blessing Box is a reminder to people that there’s something we can do.” †