Cibus Mission Fills Blessing Boxes!
Community Blessing Boxes: A Simple Way to Spread Kindness
What Is a Blessing Box?
Blessing boxes are small outdoor cabinets stocked with non-perishable food, personal care items, and other essentials—freely available to anyone in need. They serve as a quiet, dignified source of support, especially for individuals and families facing financial hardship or food insecurity.
Also known as a little free pantry, a Blessing Box operates on a simple, meaningful principle: “Take what you need, leave what you can.” These weatherproof boxes are placed in public areas so that anyone can discreetly take food or hygiene items, no paperwork or appointments necessary. Just grab and go!
They aren’t just about what’s inside. They’re about what they represent: hope, generosity, and shared responsibility. People contribute what they’re able, and those in need can access essential items without judgment or stigma.
Why Consider Building a Blessing Box?
If you’re thinking about building one, know that it’s more than just a DIY project—it’s a way to make a direct impact in your community. When you place one in a high-need area, you create an accessible, 24/7 resource that provides both physical sustenance and emotional encouragement.
Even if you’re not in a position to build a box, supporting or helping stock existing ones, like those filled weekly by Cibus Mission, is just as impactful!
Benefits include:
- Helping reduce food insecurity and providing hygiene items to those in crisis.
- Creating opportunities for community members to connect through giving.
- Encouraging local volunteers, students, churches, and businesses to get involved.
- Reducing the stigma of asking for help by offering anonymous access to essentials.
Choosing a Location: Accessibility Is Key
If you do decide to create one, location is everything. A great spot can help maximize the impact of your blessing box. Look for:
Visibility – Near high foot traffic areas like parks, churches, or community centers.
Accessibility – Open 24/7 and easy to reach, including for those with mobility issues.
Safety – Well-lit and secure areas help protect both the box and its users.
Community Need – Areas with higher levels of food insecurity or fewer social services are ideal.
Permission – Always ask property owners or local officials before installing a box on private or public land.
Materials and Tools You’ll Need
You don’t have to be a professional carpenter to build a blessing box. Basic supplies and a bit of time are all it takes:
Recommended Materials:
Treated lumber or cedar (for weather resistance)
Plexiglass or durable plastic for the door
Hinges and a latch
Paint or sealant to protect from moisture
Roofing material (metal or shingles)
Screws and nails (preferably rust-resistant)
Helpful Tools:
Saw (circular or hand saw)
Power drill
Measuring tape
Level
Paintbrushes
Safety gear (gloves, goggles)
You Don’t Have to Build to Make a Difference
Even if you can’t build one yourself, you can still make a meaningful contribution. Cibus Mission fills blessing boxes weekly throughout the community with donated food, toiletries, and small comfort items. Your donation of time, goods, or funds helps us continue that mission.
Blessing boxes might be small in size—but their impact is immense. Whether you choose to build one, fill one, or simply tell someone about them, you’re helping strengthen a community rooted in empathy, support, and love.
Other Names Blessing Boxes are Called:
Other names:
While “Blessing Box” is a widely recognized term, there are several other names used to describe similar community-driven cabinets or structures. Here are some alternative names for a blessing box:
- Little Free Pantry
- Giving Box
- Love Box
- Share Shelf
- Hope Box
- Neighbor’s Cupboard
- Kindness Cabinet
- Charity Box
- Care Crate
- Support Stationy
- Sharing Box
If you are looking for charities to donate to that will use every penny you send towards our charity programs by using 100% volunteers, look no more: Cibus Mission uses all the direct donations and contributions for our programs which is why this year alone, we have been able to donate over 16,000 food items and about 1000 hygiene items.
We also provide meals to the homeless when traveling to the blessing boxes.
These blessing boxes are a microfood pantry on a post providing not only sustenance but privacy while going through hard times is a privilege not often available when in need of food. These boxes don’t require ID or a photo op, this is just taking what you need, when you need it most. That is why we work hard to fill boxes weekly together with the help of our volunteers we are able to travel upto 55 mile radius from our organization.
We strive to use our donations for the community here in Maryland and surrounding West Virginia and Pennsylvania area.
Within 24 hours, these boxes are empty! Please support our efforts to keep filling these blessing boxes and helping our community.
If you’d like to volunteer, please consider emailing info@cibusmission.org or filling out this volunteer form! Thank you!
During 2024 we were able to go, with the help of our volunteers, to the following Blessing Boxes, give away over 18,000 food items and over 3000 hygiene items!
Maryland:
Snyder Ave Blessing Box – 15 Snyder Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21740
St. John’s Blessings Box – 101 South Prospect Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740
Girl Scouts/Emmanuel United Methodist Church Blessing Box – 802 Summit Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21740
Blessing Box Main Street Sharpsburg – 117 West Main St, Sharpsburg, MD 21782
Trinity Lutheran Church Blessing Box – 64 S. Main Street, Boonsboro, MD 21713
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Blessings Box – 18313 Lappans Road, Boonsboro, MD 21713
First Christian Church of Boonsboro Blessings Box – 12 A St. Paul Street, Boonsboro, MD 21713
Brownsville Church of the Brethren Blessings Box – 1915 Rohrersville Rd, Brownsville, MD 21715
Pleasant Valley Baptist Church Blessings Box – 3346 Gapland Rd, Rohrersville, MD 21779
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Blessings Box – 30 S Main St, Clear Spring, MD 21722
Interfaith Service Coalition Blessing Box – 116 W. High St, Hancock, MD 21750
Pennsylvania:
Park Avenue United Methodist Church Blessing Box – 125 Park Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17201
Edenville United Methodist Church Blessing Box – 2504 Apple Way, Chambersburg, PA 17202
Dr. Orange Office Blessing Box – 4225 Lincoln Way E, Fayetteville, PA 17222
Mercersburg Blessing Box – 111 N Main St, Mercersburg, PA 17236
Bethel AME Church Blessing Box – 235 S Carlisle St, Greencastle, PA 17225
Bethel Assembly of God Blessing Box – 400 Miller St, Chambersburg, PA 17201
Blessing Box – 119 North 8th Street, Lebanon, PA 17046
Gabi’s Blessing Box at American Legion Post 272 – 505 North Mountain Road, Linglestown, PA 17112
Water Street Park Blessing Box – 90 W Water St, Hellertown, PA 18055
Christ Lutheran Church Blessing Box – 69 Main Street, Hellertown, PA 18055
Dewey Fire Company Blessing Box – 502 Durham St., Hellertown, PA 18055
Please note that availability and operating hours may vary, so it’s advisable to contact the respective organizations directly for the most current information.
West Virginia:
Berkeley Springs Blessing Box – 70 North Washington Street, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
Hedgesville Blessing Box – 310 East Main Street, Hedgesville, WV 25427
Bunker Hill Blessing Box – 82 St. John’s Church Rd, Bunker Hill, WV 25413
Martinsburg Blessing Box – 325 S. Queen Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401
First Baptist Church Blessing Box – 221 S. Queen Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401
North Berkeley Blessing Box – 890 S. Raleigh Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401
Inwood Blessing Box – 222 S. Cumberland Street, Inwood, WV 25428
Shenandoah Community Blessing Box – 121 West Main Street, Shenandoah Junction, WV 25442
Ranson Blessing Box – 25 East 2nd Avenue, Ranson, WV 25438
Charles Town Blessing Box – 300 E. Washington St, Charles Town, WV 25414
Virginia:
Suffolk Blessing Box – 314 N. Main Street, Suffolk, VA 23434
Norfolk Blessing Box – 4900 W. Princess Anne Rd, Norfolk, VA 23502
Virginia Beach Blessing Box – 3270 S. Lynnhaven Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Newport News Blessing Box – 11846 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, VA 23606
Portsmouth Blessing Box – 1008 Deep Creek Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23704
Fairfax Blessing Box – 3915 Old Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA 22030
Falls Church Blessing Box – 527 Maple Ave East, Falls Church, VA 22046
Herndon Blessing Box – 4500 Wedgewood Blvd, Herndon, VA 20170
Manassas Blessing Box – 10356 Balls Ford Road, Manassas, VA 20109
Arlington Blessing Box – 2660 N. Harrison St, Arlington, VA 22207