Box of blessings

Jennifer Moonsong

Division Publisher

Barren and Metcalfe

 

Tyler Duke, 6-year owner of Up in Smoke on Columbia Avenue in Glasgow, doesn’t only run a small business there. He lives in the neighborhood as well, and he saw people in need.

“A lot of people that live in this neighborhood are without transportation. They don’t have a way to get from here to there, so they might not be able to get to their basic needs. There was nothing like a blessing box on this end of town, the closest was at the restore, and for somebody that has health problems or no transportation, that’s a long way away,” Duke said.

Moved by the need that he saw, he decided to locate a blessing box of free non-perishable items for those in need beside his business.

First, he had to find someone to build the box.

“The students at College Street who learn life skills built the box, with a former teacher of mine,” he said. “Some of the students even came out to help deliver the box.”

The blessing box has been in place for approximately a month. Since that time Tyler says that he has refilled the box multiple times. Non-perishable food items like pasta, and canned goods are there along with personal hygiene products.

“A lot of people also need things like toothpaste, toothbrushes, and deodorant. Many women are without feminine hygiene products,” said Duke.

Tyler has been overwhelmed by the positive response.

“I had no idea how much it would be used. I’ve also seen some people out there filling up the box, and that feels great,” he said.

Several people have made donations of items for the box and others have made monetary donations so that he can purchase needed items.

If you would like to help feed the need by filling the blessing box, simply stop by Up in Smoke during regular business hours.