Burnet’s ‘blessing box’ helps feed, provide essentials to residents in need
The blessing box in Burnet is located on Brier Street, directly across from Warehouse BBQ. Staff photo by Caden Senn
Two old school lockers in Burnet are helping feed the hungry and provide everyday essentials to people in need.
Located on Brier Street, directly across from Warehouse BBQ, good samaritan Courtney Macias’ “blessing box” is stocked with food, clothing, toiletries, household items, and other essentials.
The box is fully anonymous and works on one simple principle: take what you need and leave what you can.
Macias told DailyTrib that the blessing box started as a much smaller mission to provide residents with basic necessities.
“I started (the blessing box) because the community has a lot of people who seem misplaced and need help,” Macias said. “We needed a community effort to start providing things for people who needed them. I started with essentials like deodorant. Eventually people started bringing canned goods, and then it just kept piling up.”
As donations continued, Macias decided to purchase two used school lockers to serve as the blessing box.
“Everyone kept bringing stuff, so I bought two old school lockers,” she said. “Now, those keep filling up. It’s awesome. Everybody uses it.”
Keeping the box anonymous has been key to its success, Macias told DailyTrib. By not requiring people to give their names, job status, or explain why they need something, the box has provided community members with a safe place to get help without feeling shame.
“This is very anonymous,” Macias said. “You don’t have to sign in or tell us who you are. You can just drive in and take or leave what you need. It seems like people appreciate having a place like that to go when they need something.”
Locals can browse or donate food, hygiene products, clothing, and more on any day of the week at any time. Macias asks that people avoid donating medication, large furniture items, or perishable goods while the summer heat takes its toll.
Monetary donations are also accepted, and will be used for trips to nearby stores to stock essential items.
Looking ahead, Macias hopes that the blessing box will continue to grow and spark similar initiatives throughout the area to help those in need.
“I would love for it to expand,” she said. “I started it with the hope that other people and neighborhoods would start the same thing. Whatever we can do to help is what we should do.”