By Greg Higgins

The Battlefords Blessing Box is coming soon

Mar 2, 2017 | 3:28 PM

Most of us have heard of the “take a penny leave a penny” concept and now one local teen is taking the concept to a whole new level.

On Monday night North Battleford City Council approved an application to create a Blessing Box in the city. The application was made by 2016 Junior Citizen of the Year, Natalya Shevchuk.

According to Shevchuck the concept of the Blessing Box is for people in the community to leave everyday items in it, like canned food and toothbrushes, for those who aren’t as well off and can’t afford them.

“I thought I would put a note on the box that says ‘take a blessing when you need one and leave a blessing when you can,’” Shevchuck said. “For Saskatchewan we could add things like toques, mitts and scarves because we get -40 degree [Celsius] winters.”

Shevchuk came up with the idea after being approached about the RBC Canada 150 initiative where the city was given $150 to invest in something to reflect the community. Shevchuk thought a blessing box was the perfect idea because North Battleford has a mix of low and high income residents.

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“We do have people who love to help and contribute to our community as we see with all the fundraisers for the BTEC [Battlefords Trade and Education Centre] and the animal shelter,” Shevchuk said. “These people want to help out and help other people. I thought this blessing box would be a great way to combine the fortunate and less fortunate.”

Shevchuk added there may be people who need these items but are too embarrassed to go to the food bank or the Lighthouse. The blessing box provides a discrete way for people to get the help they need.

She admitted there are a few concerns with the box, the only big one being the potential for vandalism. She added it is a concern with just about anything and has offered to repair any damages out of her own pocket.  

Another concern Shevchuk addressed was making sure the box gets stocked consistently, which she has covered.

“We [her family] are definitely willing to fill it,” Shevchuk said.

The only other concern brought to Shevchuk’s attention was people raiding the box and it was suggested a lock secure it between certain times. Shevchuk said locking the box would defeat its purpose because “you never know when someone will need it.”

The youth said she is confident everyone in North Battleford will not only respect the Blessing Box, but embrace it.

The Blessing Box is expected to be constructed in Central Park close to 102nd St. around March 13.

This of course isn’t Shevchuk’s first rodeo when it comes to community involvement. The now 17-year-old founded the initiative “Dancers Who Care” in 2015, which as of Dec. 30 2016, had raised $16,000 for the BTEC.    

Greg.higgins@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @realgreghiggins.