Simple Ideas on Giving…Create Bountiful Blessing Boxes

Posted on October 20, 2021 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader:

Mandy came over yesterday to pick up a packet of lesson plans to teach a special Halloween lesson …at a request from her former school.

After getting them packed up we headed out to run some errands and grab lunch at Five Loaves. Mandy and I both ordered the half sandwich and soup. It was still a little chilly but the soup Mandy chose-a new soup-mushroom and Parmesan creamy soup was unbelievably good!

On the way there Mandy suddenly slowed down and pulled over-there was a Blessing Box adjacent to the Summerville Baptist Church -Mandy grabbed some cans and toiletries to put in it.

I live in Summerville and had never seen it before-I dropped books off in the street ” library” cabinets but was now interested in the story behind it.

No one seems to know how it started but geographically it appeared first in western states and moved eastward.

Especially during Covid with more unemployment blessing boxes took off with community charity organizations building ” cupboards to place free non perishable foods and personal hygiene products in.”

During Covid it seems like people had ideas about helping others…but stopped short actually following through. Blessing Boxes kept giving and receiving simple -and became an immediate success!!!

I am so glad I know where one is -I already am starting to fill a small cardboard box as I type.

Then we were off to Doodle’s to drop a dress up costume for Carrie to wear at her school before Halloween weekend.

Both Harvey and Doodle were busy in the backyard-their garden is magical-I feel like I am in a secret garden whenever I see it!

So until tomorrow… Thank you God for cool evenings and mornings… and fall azaleas that attract all the brightly colored winged insects enjoying brunch!

Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

I had a little lizard play a trick on me-I sat down to start the blog and turned to look out the window at the thriving side garden. One lizard had climbed the window screen-I jumped and screamed seeing my unexpected visitor just inches away from my face! Halloween is obviously drawing closer!!!

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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4 Responses to Simple Ideas on Giving…Create Bountiful Blessing Boxes

  1. Pam says:
    October 20, 2021 at 3:01 pm

    I love the idea of the blessing box! It serves not only for the homeless, but also for those who are just in need of food to feed their families. Dorchester Presbyterian has one, too!

    Reply
  2. Becky Dingle says:
    October 21, 2021 at 2:16 pm

    Is it located outside the sanctuary??

    Reply

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