Bring A Blessing, Be A Blessing
Father Kirk LaFon and Robbie Fisher with the Blessing Box located outside the Episcopal Church of the Nativity on Main Street in Water Valley.
WATER VALLEY – One of the best parts of living in a small and close-knit community like Water Valley is the knowledge that every action you take impacts the people around you. For the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, that action takes the form of a small, self-serve pantry on Main Street, just in front of the church.
“We saw a need in our community for access to food and toiletries,” said Robbie Fisher, who serves on the Vestry at Nativity. “So, we decided to do something about it. A member of our congregation suggested a ‘Blessing Box’ that the community could fill and use as needed. We commissioned this structure and began stocking it as a congregation as soon as it was installed.”
Father Kirk LaFon, who recently joined the Church of the Nativity as its Vicar, is proud of the contribution the Blessing Box makes to the Water Valley community.
“As Christians we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ. This is one way our congregation lives into that every day,” LaFon said. “And, we cannot do it alone.”
Another Vestry member, Sean Kirkpatrick, shared that his vision for the Blessing Box was for it to be a place where all community members can engage.
“The Church of the Nativity invites everyone in our community to get involved by bringing what you can and taking what you need. The Blessing Box is really the same as our church,” Kirkpatrick said. “All are welcome.”
The Church of the Nativity meets every Sunday morning at 9 a.m. The public is welcome and invited to attend.
To contribute to the Blessing Box, simply bring donations and add them directly to the pantry. Anyone may bring or take items at any time.
Suggested items to contribute:
• Canned protein (tuna, chicken, ham, Vienna sausages, Spam)
• Meals in cans (beef stew, beef chili, ravioli, chicken and dumplings, chunky soups)
• Ramen noodles, rice-a-roni, mac&cheese
• Cereal, cookies, pretzels
• Shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, shaving cream
• Bar soap, liquid soap, dish detergent, laundry detergent
• Toilet paper
• Please no: medicine, expired items, or opened packages
