A Thunder Bay-based program that fills wooden boxes with non-perishable food for the less fortunate, placed at various homes in that city, is expanding.
The group which started the Blessing Box program, Giant Hearts, says it has inquiries from as far away as Chilliwack, BC.
Spokesperson Lyndsay Alessandro says the reaction to the program on Facebook has been overwhelming in Ontario as well.
“It kind of blew up a little bit, and we’re going to travel out to the other communities, such as Fort Frances, Kenora and Sioux Lookout.”
Organizers says the boxes are meant for anyone who has a need and are filled by anyone who wishes.
Ashlee Burton, also with Giant Hearts, says she’s also been contacted by people interested in the region.
“In the process of this, I’ve received a lot of messages in my inbox from people saying ‘Hey, I’ve looked up what your group does. We need what you do in our town, we’re struggling too.”
The organizers are surprised with how quickly the Blessing Box idea has taken off.
Three such boxes are already planned to be set up in Fort Frances.
One is set to be ready for use later this month.
“We’re going to be teaching them sort of how we’ve been running everything here. We’ll probably be visiting those communities and help them and give them the rundown. Then once they’re competent that they can manage it themselves, we would just step back.”
