Florence community keeps blessing box stocked

FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Florence community members have come together to keep a blessing box stocked.

Ministry Assistant at South Florence Baptist Church, Stephanie Stokes, said the South Florence Baptist Church built the blessing box two months ago.

“We decided to put the blessing box up during a women’s bible study,” said Stokes. “We were talking about being stronger, and helping others.”

Stokes said the church realized the how much the homeless community needed help after watching News13s’ story on Bryan Braddock.

Braddock is the Executive Director of the House of Hope, and went undercover as a homeless man in March.

“Our women’s ministry collected money, and donations to help stock it,” Stokes said about the blessing box. “People from church were bringing things, and they were all really excited about it.”

Dana Miller works near the blessing box, and said she recently found the box empty.

“It’s sad that there’s so many people just in our community that are in need,” said Miller. “You look at it, and you see people going over there, and getting things out, and getting what they need. When it’s empty I’ll go over, and put some things in it.”

Miller said she’s spoke with some of the people who have taken from the box, and said she’s happy to help.

“One lady I met, her power had been turned off, her two kids were living with two of her family members, and her son was there,” Miller said. “Their church had told them about the blessing box.”

Miller said it’s important to do a small act of kindness every day.

“So many people are living in a hopeless state of life, and they just want to see something good,” she said.

Miller said although more people have started to bring items, she hopes to always see the blessing box full.

“We put everything from band-aids to canned goods to women’s hygienic items, razors, and socks are a big thing that the homeless community needs,” said Stokes. “That was the drive behind it. It was to help the homeless community because we know they use this street sometimes to get to the House of Hope.”

The blessing box is located behind the Burger King on Irby Street near 108 Sebrell Street.

Items that can be donated: