RIEGELWOOD, NC — Mariah McDonald and her family are marking a milestone this October as their Columbus County Blessing Box initiative reaches its one‑year anniversary. The project, which operates boxes at 142 Waccamaw Road in Riegelwood and 221 9th Street in Bolton, began last fall with a simple goal: provide easily accessible essentials to neighbors facing hardship.
McDonald said it has been an honor to serve the community over the past year. She noted that the effort has allowed her family to meet many individuals, hear their stories and work together to support residents who rely on the boxes during difficult weeks. Community donations have kept the shelves stocked, though McDonald said there have been months when supplies ran low and local support made the difference.
How a Blessing Box Works
Blessing boxes function as small, community‑supported pantries placed in public, easy‑to‑reach locations. The concept is straightforward: residents can take what they need and leave what they can. Items typically include non‑perishable food, hygiene supplies, baby essentials and other household necessities.
There is no sign‑up process or screening. Families visit the box and quietly take items that help them get through the week. Donations are equally informal, with neighbors stopping by to place items inside whenever they are able. Volunteers monitor the boxes, restock them when supplies run low and organize drives during high‑need seasons. In rural communities, blessing boxes often serve as a first‑line resource for families who may not have access to transportation or traditional food pantries.
Anniversary Plans
To celebrate the one‑year mark, McDonald and her family will set up at the Pine Tree Festival in Bolton. They plan to share information about the Blessing Box program, answer questions about how the system works and collect donations to replenish depleted inventory heading into the fall.
The Blessing Box program is currently seeking the following items:
- Bigger sized diapers, Wipes
- Hygiene items such as soap, shampoo and toothpaste
- Kid‑friendly snacks, boxed dinners including hamburger helper, ramen, shelf‑stable milk, canned items
- Small laundry detergents
McDonald thanked residents for their continued support, noting that community involvement has sustained the project through months of limited stock.
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