A Garden City family is working hard to make sure their "blessing box" is filled with essential items for those in need.
The Blessed Box is a free pantry stocked with non-perishable food, toiletries, baby products and more.
"We serve 50 to 60 people a day," said Elizabeth Freeman, founder of Garden City's Elmwood Blessing Box.
Freeman, who works in Section 8 housing, knows that need well, she said. He opened the pantry in April 2023; The project was very personal to him.
"I used to frequent food pantries and other community resources before I met my husband," Freeman continued. “With two small children, it was very difficult to get the help we needed. »
Freeman and her husband initially funded the business by donating $50 a week to the pantry.
"There are people who work long hours and can't find time for food or other community resources," Freeman said. "So we decided to create this blessing box that would have full access 24/7 and anyone could access it at any time."
Today, the community is showing its support.
On Wednesday, "someone came and gave me two carrots, a granola bar and two gallons of milk," Freeman's younger brother, Ian Stewart, said.
Freeman said sometimes they have dozens of Amazon wishlist packages on their doorstep.
For people like Garden City mom Jennifer Osborne, the Elmwood Blessing Box is just that.
"They have been a blessing. I have a six month old son. "I don't have a formula anymore," he added. Is there food for children? The children have finished school. He gives us little bags to help us when we need them. he's not fed and fed at school," Osborne said. "It's a tremendous blessing."
The family will soon open a mobile food pantry to help those without transportation.
"The mobile pantry will basically be a small room full of shelves that we'll take to someone in need, and the whole community will be able to shop for two hours," Freeman said.
If you need or want to donate, please contact Elmwood Blessing Box 29878 Elmwood St.
Elmwood Blessing Box To purchase items from your Amazon wish list, click here. Visit their Facebook page for other ways to help.
