With an eye to encouraging care for each other, DePaul Community Health Centers has installed 2 Blessing Boxes in Dumas, one just south of Dumas Library, near the police station and the mayor’s office and one at St. Peter’s Rock Church. Blessing Boxes are outdoor structures designed to help people meet basic food and hygiene needs. Canned corn and beans, macaroni and cheese, granola bars, toiletries, bath soap, diapers and feminine hygiene products are some items that might be found in the Blessing Boxes. Because living in a small town and the pandemic have made meeting food and personal care needs difficult, the boxes never close- they are available to anyone who needs them at any time of day. DePaul Community Health Centers was awarded a grant to build the boxes and encourage community support for them.
In September, I spoke to the Dumas Chamber of Commerce about this project. Rev. Larry Alexander from St. Peter’s Rock Church, Sheree Jackson from the Dumas Mayor’s office and Hunter Bennett from the Dumas Library were community volunteers who asked for a Blessing Box in their respective locations or businesses. Keith Talley, a woodworker from Dumas, agreed to build the boxes.
There are no requirements for getting items from the boxes. They are simply available to meet needs.
As you consider donating items to the boxes, keep these suggestions in mind:
*Please do not pile food or supplies outside of the boxes. The boxes are designed to keep items dry and safe for use.
*If the boxes are full and you would like to donate items, contact Jan Stephenson at DePaul Community Health Centers (870-382-3080, extension 3805), Rev. Alexander (870) 377-0259, Sherree Jackson (870-382-2121) or Hunter Bennett (870-382-5763).
*Outdoor temperature may affect the quality of some of the items in the boxes. Items useful in winter months include peanut butter, pasta, rice, canned soups, canned beans, baked beans, cereals, oatmeal, crackers, granola bars, pancake or baking mixes, ketchup, mustard, salad dressing, jelly, pancake syrup, school supplies, first aid products, toilet paper, shampoo, feminine hygiene products (pads or tampons), toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand soap, dish soap, bath soap, laundry detergent, gloves,
*Please DO NOT donate the following items: open or partially used items, rusty or unlabeled cans, homemade or home canned foods, glass items because of breakage, food in torn boxes or torn plastic packaging, perishable items or raw meat, bulging cans, no foods requiring refrigeration or freezing, alcoholic beverages, any packaged food item past its “best by,” “use by,” or “sell by” dates, any packaged product with damaged tamper-resistant packaging, no fresh fruits or vegetables.
If you or your business is interested in sponsoring a box, contact me at jpelkki@ascension.org.
Help us spread the good news that Dumas neighbors take care of each other by sharing about this project in your neighborhood, church, community organization and on social media.
