The Denim & Dirt 4-H Club built a mini-pantry to support their community
"Give what you can. Take what you need." That is the motto of the Blessing Box that the Denim & Dirt 4-H Club saw a need for in their local community. A Blessing Box is a mini-pantry stocked with canned vegetables and proteins, personal care items, paper items, kid-friendly non-perishables, and special seasonal treats.
The 4-H club, under the leadership of 4-H'er Raley Nestor, successfully applied for a My Hands to Larger Service mini-grant. Over four months, the club members and volunteers organized, built, and installed the Blessing Box in their community. The Blessing Box is located in a safe and accessible location within the community, readily available to those in need to obtain food and essential care items.
Additionally, 4-H members provided presentations to local organizations and coordinated
monthly sponsorship of the box to increase awareness and ensure adequate supplies.
As a result, sixteen local organizations were recruited to adopt the Blessing
Box throughout the year. In addition, the presentations helped to raise awareness
of the project within the community.
In addition to the My Hands to Larger Service mini-grant, this project was supported by Trinity United Methodist Church, Fort Ashby Lion’s Club, and multiple community sponsors. The My Hands to Larger Service Mini-grants in West Virginia started in 2020 and funded by the West Virginia 4-H All Stars.
Learn more about the mini-grant program