VH Dream Center’s blessing boxes help Allen County neighbors support neighbors
SCOTTSVILLE, Ky. — A simple idea is helping neighbors support neighbors across Allen County.
The VH Dream Center in Scottsville is expanding its blessing box program, giving community members a way to donate essential items while making resources more accessible for those who need them.
The VH Dream Center, an outreach ministry of Victory Hill Church, says its mission is to meet people where they are, love them where they are and help them move forward.
“A blessing box is a space that’s provided to the community, for the community,” said Amy Payne, executive director of the VH Dream Center. “The basic concept is you take what you need, and you leave what you can.”
The program allows people to donate items such as nonperishable food, hygiene products, clothing and seasonal necessities, while anyone in need can access the boxes at no cost.
What started as a single blessing box has grown into a countywide effort. There are now 20 blessing boxes located throughout Allen County at churches, parks and other community locations.
To help people find those locations, the VH Dream Center created a Blessing Box app for the community. The app allows users to locate the nearest blessing box, check when a box was last restocked and add notes about items that have been donated.
The app also provides a way for people to get involved by signing up to volunteer or learn how to host a blessing box of their own.
Payne says the idea for the app came after seeing community members trying to keep track of available blessing boxes through social media posts.
“Somebody had taken their time to try to investigate to see where all those were, and they had made a list,” Payne said. “It kind of turned into a viral post. It sparked an idea of, ‘Hey, let’s build an app that makes it easier for someone to find those, add those and manage those.’”
The items needed in the boxes can change depending on the season. While nonperishable food remains one of the biggest needs, the Dream Center has also seen donations of gloves, hats, hand warmers and other cold-weather supplies during the winter, along with bottled water and other summer essentials.
The Dream Center is also expanding its own blessing box location with help from a grant from T-Mobile. The upgraded space will include refrigeration, shelter from the weather and additional security features, allowing for more food options to be shared with the community.
Payne says the success of the program comes from the people who choose to give their time, resources and support.
“We just provide a space,” Payne said. “It’s the community that does all the work. If you provide a way for someone to serve, it’s been our experience that people will step up and serve in that capacity.”
The VH Dream Center says anyone interested in finding a blessing box, volunteering or starting one in their own area can use the Blessing Box app or contact the organization for more information.
You can find the app here. BLESSING BOX APP
