(submitted photo/Town of Battleford)

By Trey Smith

Donation Box Coming

Town of Battleford approves Blessing Box

Jan 23, 2024 | 4:48 PM

After years of success with the Blessing Box in North Battleford, the Town of Battleford will see its own donation box erected for Spring 2024.

The idea was brought to life by Natalya Shevchuk in 2017, who created the community cupboard-based project in North Battleford that lets people drop off some items they may no longer need.

“It’s a place where people can leave things that they may not need, but others could really use,” said Paige Hundt, a resident of Battleford. “It’s kind of a leave what you can and take what you need place, just a space that those in need can go and find some items they might be looking for.”

Many people are having difficulties to afford everyday items like groceries and personal necessities right now and Hundt says it is important to put up a donation box in town so people aren’t wasting goods that could have a home somewhere else.

“It’s clear there is a lot of people struggling and a lot of people don’t really know where they can drop off their gently used items,” Hundt said. “To create something that’s really accessible and easy for people to drop off and pick up, I think is really important.”

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Construction of the Blessing Box will take place sometime during the spring of this year and will be located adjacent to the Senior’s Fitness Park by the Alex Dillabough Centre.

All costs of the box will be incurred through donations from people in the community.

Hundt says selecting the area for the Blessing Box was tough as she had to be mindful of a few things to deter vandalism; the donation box in North Battleford had vandalism issues in previous years.

“When I was making the proposal, I was pretty cognizant of that and I know the one in North Battleford had experienced some vandalism,” said Hundt. “I wanted to choose a place that had some good lighting, the opportunity for security cameras to be installed and was in a pretty open and accessible place.”

When the time comes for the box to be constructed, Hundt says she will keep an eye on the box and hopes the public will keep it full of many grateful donations.

“Donations can be anything, anything from non-perishable foods items, clothing, houseware, personal care items, hygiene items and everything like that, so as long as it can’t freeze in the cold months, anything is open.”