Main Campus: 120 Aldersgate Way, Franklin
The first Blessing Box on our Main Campus was established during COVID when FFUMC member Michelle Keith began painting. When a few of her paintings yielded unexpected income, Michelle wanted to follow a dream to place a free little pantry on our campus. Some handy carpenters built the first box and our middle school girls painted it. Very soon our first Blessing Box was placed at our circle drive near the intersection at Mack Hatcher.
A few years later, some local scouts came to us with a desire to build a second Blessing Box for us. This project was gladly approved by our trustees, and these scouts began to work on this project. Now FFUMC has a second Blessing Box located near the beginning of the cedar lined drive, just after the entrance to our campus from Franklin Road.
We work with local leaders and school counselors, particularly our contacts through our Liberty Elementary Partnership, to know what is most needed and helpful to stock in the boxes. We keep a list of recommended foods, paper products, household items and more that can bless someone when the need arises.
Anyone is welcome to take from these Blessing Boxes, and as the cost of living continues to rise, we know these boxes will continue to serve our neighbors.
The original blessing box is listed online at the Mini Pantry Movement that activates neighbor engagement with food insecurity.. http://mapping.littlefreepantry.org/pantry/2617
How can you help? The Blessing Boxes are filled by groups who take responsibility for one month. Using the list of suggested items, groups fill the boxes, monitor them through the month and refill as necessary. To sign up for a month or join in the work with another group, please contact Jenny MacNeill at jmacneill@franklinfumc.org