Church's 'Blessing Box' has been a popular creation

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, near Brazito, has had many donations come through its Blessing Box.
Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, near Brazito, has had many donations come through its Blessing Box.

Two weeks ago, a small rural church near Brazito put out a Blessing Box to share food and other items with those in need. The response from the community has been heavenly, the church's pastor said.

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Pastor Kevin Kohler said the idea behind the box was for the community to be able to share food items. So far, he said, people are not only taking the items out of the box, but leaving regular donations as well.

"I'll be honest, it's being used more than I thought it would be," Kohler said of the box located in front of the church on Heritage Highway at the junction of U.S. 54 and Route D.

"I've watched people come out of Dollar General (located at the intersection) who are not members (of the church) and put items in," Kohler said.

Most of the items are canned goods, but there have been some who donated items such as toothbrushes and other toiletries.

"The idea for the box came from our Teen Life Group," Kohler said. "They had seen it done in other places, and it was going to be their ministry in the community.

"But so many have used the box and donated that they couldn't keep up, so now our whole church is involved. It's still been a great learning experience for the kids. They've put Bibles in there, and people are taking them, too."

Kohler said one of his friends who is a cabinet maker heard the church was going to do this and made the box "out of the blue."

"It's just really been neat. And as long as it keeps working, we'll keep it stocked," he said. "We do monitor the food so nothing spoils. We knew there was a need.

"There's a lot of people struggling that the government or agencies don't reach. There's a lot of working people who are just a little short, and this can help them make it through to their next paycheck."