Blessing Box gives necessary items to those in need
“I’ve seen firsthand how much they can struggle,” Emily Raney said.
The 15-year-old Girl Scout - the driving force behind the Blessing Box – delivers meals-on-wheels with her father.
“I know that homeless people sleep around here quite a bit,” she said. “It can used use by senior citizens, homeless people, or just anyone struggling a lot."
The Blessing Box is a cabinet outside of the Neal Senior Center where people can leave non-perishable foods, and personal hygiene products for those in need. In turn, those in need can take from the box.
Emily took on this project in working towards her Silver Award in Girl Scouts, but more so to fill a need in our community.
“She was the brains to do this project,” her mother Carla Raney said. “Part of the Silver Award is that she had to see the problem, she has to come up with the plan, she has to implement it. We are like the chauffeurs … The design was her own, and mom, dad, and grandfather helped her build it.”
One of the challenges was finding donors to help fill the box.
“It’s exciting to watch somethings that’s a vision actually happen,” Raney said. “It has been a struggle to get businesses and people to step up.”
Emily rose to the challenge and has businesses lined up to supply the Blessing Box for the next six months.
Raney praised the skills Emily has acquired as a Girl Scout.
She explained, “They don’t want to make phone calls to adults, or go have meetings with adults, but it’s good for them to do that.”
Asked what she has learned through Girl Scouts, Emily said, “A lot of leadership skill, a lot of girl empowerment, just helping your community. Seeing a problem and knowing you can help … I foresee using a lot of using my Girl Scout skills in the future.”
Emily said she plans to continue in Girl Scouts and work towards her Gold Award, a 100-hour project – double what is required for the Silver Award.
The Blessing Box is located at the Neal Senior Center and is under video surveillance to deter problem. If the box is full, donations can be given to the Senior Center staff.
If you would like to contribute, you can contact Emily through her mom at troyandcarla@gmail.com.