Partnership Creates Blessing Box to Benefit Local North Carolina Community

From left: Carolina SeniorCare team members Robert Miller and Jamal Tahirkeli with Darrell Embry, a resident of Piedmont Crossing and the Blessing Box designer/builder.

With the rise in the homeless population, and indigent persons, within the Davidson County (N.C.) area, the staff and participants at Carolina SeniorCare wanted to find a way to give back, and provide support, to the less fortunate in the community.  The idea of a Blessing Box placed on the grounds of Carolina SeniorCare with free necessities serving those in need seem to fulfill a mission.

“A Blessing Box is essentially bringing a pantry to our front yard,” says Misty Polston York, chaplain at Carolina SeniorCare and one of the project champions, “the motto being, take what you need and leave what you can.”

When the team at Carolina SeniorCare made the decision to support a Blessing Box, the next hurdle was to find someone to make the structure. Their blessing came from a United Church Homes and Services sister community, Piedmont Crossing. A resident at Piedmont Crossing, Darrell Embry, worked to perfection on the Blessing Box using tools from the retirement community woodworking shop. Embry’s expertise lead to a beautiful structure, while also inspired others to donate supplies to help with the completion of the project. With the almost-100-pound structure ready, Carolina SeniorCare team members Robert Miller and Jamal Tahirkeli prepared the foundation to position the Blessing Box.

The Blessing Box, located at 802 East Center Street in Lexington, N.C., will be filled with necessities such as canned food, socks, gloves, bottled water, toiletries, and more by Carolina SeniorCare team members, participants and community partners.

“We already have joy in our hearts just knowing we are helping those in need,” Polston York adds.  “If community partners wish to assist in replenishing the Blessing Box and capture joy in their hearts, they may contact Carolina SeniorCare, 336.746.3500.”

Carolina SeniorCare, part of United Church Homes and Services, serves older adults in Davidson, Rowan, Davie and Iredell counties.