One Baldwin County woman’s idea to build and set up three Blessing Boxes in February has exploded and grown to a community initiative that is helping to feed Baldwin families.
Lori Keelin, a Gulf Shores resident, was inspired by her childhood friends’ Blessing Box project in Jackson, Tenn.
Keelin said she saw so much need in her community when COVID-19 put so many out of work. She helped others’ by paying their utility bills. Then Hurricane Sally hit and displaced many more. She said she saw families trying to make ends meet while living in motels or their car.
That is when a childhood friend suggested she join the Give Back Jack group on Facebook and look at the new project she was involved with in her hometown. Volunteers there built boxes that they then kept full of food. Anyone who was in need could stop and take what they needed.
“It was crazy how all of these people that didn’t know each other came together to feed hungry people. It was amazing. I decided we needed to do that in our county. We are such a blessed county and some people really do not know what it is like to be hungry. People don’t see the need but it’s here,” Keelin said.
Keelin, a Pilates and yoga instructor in Gulf Shores since 1999, knew she had a core group of students that were always willing to help with projects. She knew they would be willing to fill the boxes with food.
She created the Blessed to Blessings Boxes for Baldwin Facebook group as a way for the group to communicate which boxes needed items. Next, her husband, Kenny Keelin and his friend and cabinet maker Billy Prewett built three boxes that could sustain the Gulf Coast weather.
With the box construction in progress, three locations were secured: Robertsdale at Rac Health and Fitness, Dr. Wayne T. Martin’s office in Gulf Shores and Whitehaven Insurance Services, LLC in the Fort Morgan area of Gulf Shores.
The Facebook group quickly grew thanks to the core group of students inviting friends, who then also invited friends. In just one month the group’s membership swelled to 2,100 members filling 17 boxes located in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Foley, Bay Minette, Robertsdale, Elberta and Lillian.
Three more boxes will be placed this week and nine more are in production. Currently there is a list of over 60 businesses, churches, community organizations and individuals that have requested a box.
“The community is really doing this project. All I am doing is building boxes and putting them out. They are the ones that have taken such ownership. Some of the members have schedules and are checking on boxes every two hours. The more items taken out of the boxes the more they want to put into them. It has been amazing,” Keelin said.
Each Blessing Box is filled with non-perishable food items such as peanut butter, jelly, pasta, canned meat and vegetables and breakfast items. Personal hygiene items such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper and baby wipes are included are as baby items and pet food. Unlike food pantries, the boxes are open 24 hours a day and are easily accessed by individuals who might not have transportation.
There are a few areas that had existing blessing boxes that have been folded into the Blessed to Blessing Boxes for Baldwin community. Three years ago, Mike Lee built the box located at the South Baldwin Christian Church in Foley. The small congregation has filled the box each Sunday but by Monday it is always empty. The box is now filled more than once a day.
In a post on the Blessed to Blessings Facebook group March 6, Lee said, “We have a very small congregation and have had trouble purchasing enough food and this neighborhood is extremely needy. I almost cried when I saw all the food and necessities you have put into our food pantry today. I pray God’s blessings upon all of you. This is a good thing.”
People who have been blessed by the boxes are also giving back. Some have helped build boxes, others have done computer work or found locations in their communities that need a box and secured permission from the property owner.
Keelin is now branching out and getting creative. She has been in contact with Lowe’s and submitted a proposal in hopes of getting building materials donated. Lowes is hoping they can show the need and success in Baldwin County so they can help expand the program throughout the state. She is also looking for vocational schools and high school wood shop programs that would be willing to build the boxes for their own community.
The ultimate goal, Keelin said, is to see this spread across the Gulf Coast. A representative from Rouses Market has been in contact about growing the program in New Orleans and the Blue Warrior Foundation is getting six boxes up in Mobile County and Escambia County, Florida. There are individuals in Laurel and Gulfport, Mississippi that are working to put up Blessing Boxes in their area as well.
“Right now, people want to help others but don’t know how. I think the reason this has been so successful is because they can see the benefit of their help when they go back to the box and the items they placed there are gone. This was the simplest thing I have ever done to help people. This was so simple. I think that is why it makes me cry because it was so effortless. It has impacted so many,” Keelin said.
Want to help? For more information, join Blessed to Blessings Boxes for Baldwin on Facebook. There you can find a map of box locations and items needed in the boxes. The group needs more carpenters to build boxes to keep up with the demand. If you are skilled and willing to help, please contact Lori Keelin at 251-550-8209.
