One night while I was walking home, I was approached by a woman on King Street. She looked visibly upset and asked me for only one thing, a tampon. I gave her one and carried on walking, but I wished there was more I could have done to help. There are a number of less fortunate people in Charleston that are always in need of food, personal care items, etc. and I wondered how I could get these products to those people. After some research, I discovered the Lowcountry Blessing Box Project.
What is the Blessing Box Project?
The Blessing Box Project’s motto is “leave what you can, take what you need.” These boxes are completely anonymous for those who leave and take from them. There are 160 pantries located throughout the Lowcountry, including a few Downtown that you may have even seen before.
Where are the boxes?
They have a map and a list on their website of all their locations, but the ones in Downtown Charleston include:
– 218 Ashley Ave (temporary location)
– Inside Laundry Matters, 51 Reid Street, Eastside
– 273 Meeting Street (Trinity UMC) – 243 King Street (Pauline Books & Media Center)
– Inside Habitat Restore, 731 Meeting Street – 2113 Courtland Ave.
– Trident Technical College Grocery Vault (on campus, for students & TTC staff)
– Cougar Pantry (in the Theodore S. Stern Student Center at CofC – any CofC student can access the pantry by presenting his/her Cougar Card)
What can I put in them?
– Non-perishable foods (if you find old perishable food please throw it away!)
Some popular choices are: fruit cups/cans, cracker sandwiches, canned meat, soup, and ready-made pasta
– Water bottles
– Baby care items
– Pet food
– Personal care items/ Toiletries (soap, deodorant, toothpaste, bandaids)
– Feminine hygiene products
People always forgot about homelessness and periods, so I rarely see these in the boxes. This is a great way to help out fellow women!
– School supplies
– Plastic or paper bags for carrying
What NOT to put in them?
– Clothing or books (the boxes are often too small for larger items)
– Expired foods
– Perishable foods
So, if you are able, next time you are at the grocery store or drugstore look for an affordable or discounted product that could go in the box. Or, check out the blessing boxes if you are in need. Especially in these times now, caring for our fellow humans is so important and this is a great way to do this while staying physically distant.