Blessing Box project head Paige Hunt and Rotary Club of the Battlefords president Jason Russell. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

BLESSING BOX

Battleford resident leads effort to create community Blessing Box

Sep 28, 2024 | 2:00 PM

A new Blessing Box aimed to provide easy access to food and other items for needy people has been set up in the Town of Battleford.

The new Box sits just outside of the Alex Dillabough Centre and also serves as a convenient spot for donations.

Paige Hundt first got the initiative rolling and she told battlefordsNOW that it was originally a $200 project from her own pocket. However, after seeking town council’s permission to place the box, the Rotary Club of the Battlefords got wind and decided to step up.

“Rotary said, ‘We love this idea, but we want to do it bigger and better.’ So what would be a two-foot by three-foot box has now become like a six-by-four box, which is incredible,” said Hundt.

Rotary Club offered around $1000 in donations to cover its cost.

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Paige Hunt is a 25-year-old Battleford resident. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

Jason Russell, president of the Rotary Club of the Battlefords, believes the Blessing Box is a good addition to the community and hopes it could serve people with its blessing.

“Kevin [Russell] talked to the Rotary about providing this type of service, and it was a no-doubt for us to be involved because. As I said, this is exactly the type of stuff that Rotary does, not only in the Battlefords but around the world,” said Russell.

Fusion West Manufacturing Ltd. was commissioned to build the box, and the Battleford Art Club helped paint it.

Paige Hunt introduces the Blessing Box to Jeremy Cockrill. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

As the Blessing Box is unmonitored, it’s vulnerable to vandals or could receive no donations. However, Hundt trusts the community to treat it kindly.

“I know this community and how generous they are. The construction of the Box itself is such a product of kindness, and our community works together and is better together for one another. So I know that the community of Battleford will step up in a big way and will encourage, you know, others and their friends to put stuff in the Box.”

Many local dignitaries were in attendance for the Box’s unveiling, including MLA Jeremy Cockrill, Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie, and North Battleford City Councillors Bill Ironstand and Kelli Hawtin.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com