All Academy students are required to complete five hours of “service to the school” prior to graduation. One way to accomplish portion of the 50 hours is through stocking the Blessing Boxes located near the school. These boxes, part of the wider organization known as the Columbus Blessing Boxes Project, are located near Fresh Thyme, United Dairy Farmers (UDF), and Gahanna Mifflin Presbyterian Church. 

The mission statement of the Columbus Blessing Boxes Project is to “Take what you need. Leave what you can. Spread kindness.” Housing a variety of food and toiletries, such as canned soup, canned fruit, snack foods, toothpaste, and socks, the boxes rely on the generosity of more fortunate individuals.

Filling Blessing Boxes is easy. Students can sign up on the Blessing Boxes Google Sheet, which can be accessed through a QR code outside of the Shack. After signing up, open the nearby drawers, grab a bag, and collect a variety of food and toiletries. If filling multiple boxes, make sure to grab enough supplies for each location.

Next, drive to the Blessing Box, reorganize if necessary, and add the food and toiletries. Don’t forget to take a selfie with the open box, fill out the form located on the Google Sheet, and record the time in Mobile Serve.

Sign-ups tend to fill quickly near the end of each semester but are more neglected during the first and third quarters. Hunger doesn’t follow a school calendar, and for families or individuals who rely partially on these boxes, the need is year-round.

Through stocking the Blessing Boxes consistently throughout the year, Academy students can ensure that no box stays empty to fight hunger and bring kindness to the surrounding communities.