By Angela Brown

Blessing Box arrives in North Battleford

May 10, 2017 | 7:15 PM

Diapers for baby, Cheerios for the family, and even deodorant. After months of planning, the Blessing Box has arrived filled with all kinds of free goods for area residents to take when needed, and hopefully replenish.

Battleford youth Natalya Shevchuk came up with the idea of creating the Blessing Box – an easily accessible community cupboard now erected in Central Park, near the North Battleford Library, off 102nd St.

Representatives from the City of North Battleford, which provided the location and installation of the box, and RBC Foundation, the funder for the project, came together during the launch of the Blessing Box Wednesday. The Grade 12 student, who is also the 2016 Junior Citizen of the Year, joined her sister Marusia and her brother Ivan to stock the Blessing Box. 

“It’s been a long time coming since December when we started the idea,” Shevchuk said. “It’s really nice so the community can see its benefits now.”

Rob Rongve, investment adviser with RBC Dominion Securities in North Battleford, selected Shevchuk for the project and gave her a $150 grant it received from the RBC Foundation.

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“It’s a way for RBC to celebrate Canada’s 150th [anniversary] and engage young people across the country,” Rongve said. “This was a local, obviously, very big success story.”

“I think Natalya is an amazing young woman. We were quite excited to take this on and see what she did. It’s a great way of her giving back to the community, and multiplying the 150 well beyond I’m sure even what RBC [Foundation] was hoping for. ”

The covered wooden box container cost $100 to build. Natalya used the remaining $50, as well as donations and coupons, to purchase products to fill the box with various items including toothpaste, toothbrushes and many non-perishable food products.

Shevchuk heard about Blessing Boxes created in other communities and wanted to try it in North Battleford. The youth also thought it would be a good fit for the local community which includes both high income earners who “love to donate,” and low income residents who are not as fortunate. Shevchuk believed some people may be in need but not comfortable using the food bank, and might find what they are looking for inside the Blessing Box.

“This is inconspicuous. They can just grab [an item] whenever they need,” she said. 

While the box could be locked at night if necessary to prevent vandalism, Shevchuk hopes it can be left open, saying locking it would “defeat the purpose.”   

City of North Battleford Mayor Ryan Bater commended the youth for her part in the project.

“The city is very proud to support this initiative,” he said, adding he appreciates Shevchuk’s efforts and the gift from the RBC Foundation to create the project. 

“We are hoping this will help enhance the community by neighbours helping neighbours.”  

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW