This blog is second of a series with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Youth Advisory Council, created to share and express the issues and ideas that matters to youth while reaching a national audience. Through this space, we hope to acknowledge real life experiences, problems and perspectives that are often overlooked. Today’s post was co-authored by Holden J. from Boys & Girls Club of Benton County and Marley G. from Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston.
What is Food Insecurity?
Holden
Do you ever worry about where your next meal may come from? Unfortunately, this is a feeling known by over 18 million individuals nationwide. Food insecurity is the lack of consistent, dependable access to enough safe and nutritious food for an active, healthy life, often due to limited money or resources. But food insecurity does not only lead to hunger. It can also lead to other issues. In the video below, you can see how food insecurity can impact people’s brains, and how this can lead to stress, distractions at school, and health issues.
One Way to Create Change: Blessing Boxes
Now that we know more about food insecurity, let’s talk about possible solutions. Blessing boxes are a simple solution that are already making a difference in my community. These are small community food pantries where people can donate what they can and take what they need without having to feel shame or anxiety by asking for help. It is this stigma I would like to end by fighting food insecurity. These are different from food banks because they are 100% run by the Club or community. Anyone can go and take what they need and donate what they can at any time. This allows for simple and anonymous interactions making it comfortable for everyone!
Marley
Hi there! My name is Marley, and I attend the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston.
In the Houston and Harris County area, approximately 39% to 40% of households—roughly 2 in 5 families—experience food insecurity. This rate is nearly triple the national average of 14%. Recent federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) mark the largest cut to these benefits in history. This law roughly cuts billions over 10 years, impacting eligibility and requiring 20 hours of work per week for more recipients.
Here’s the issue: People need to eat.
That is why I felt so connected to partnering with Holden regarding the Blessing Boxes. In my area, I had never seen anything like this before. It was usually just food pantries and food banks (which run out of resources very quickly in our busy metropolitan city).
In Houston, my Club site operates within a shared space with my school. When I received the opportunity to partner with Holden for this Blessing Box project, I was ecstatic. But, there was one issue – we didn’t have the time nor resources to complete said Blessing Box.
This was when I had to become creative. While searching around my school for a box-like structure to store our goods, I came across this filing cabinet. Before cleaning it and putting the cubbies, it was dirty, stashed with old binders, soda cans and probably month old chip bags.
I eventually was able to give it a whole makeover! Our Keystone club helped facilitate donations and we were able to create Greater Houston’s First Blessing Box!
Creating a Blessing Box at Your Club
Holden
We would love to grow this initiative and put a box at every Boys & Girls Club across the globe. We know it can be a daunting task. However, it would be a simple yet great project for Think, Learn, Create Change(TLC) (Native adaptation available here), Keystone Club, or Torch Club to complete. Not only will it count as service hours, but it will also allow Club kids to make a difference in the community by creating an accessible way for others to get canned food and hygiene products when they need it the most. Currently there is a Blessing Box at every Boys & Girls Club in Benton County Arkansas!
Below is a video on how to build a Blessing Box and the tools and supplies you may need. Also, if this is your Club’s first Blessing Box (such as the one in Greater Houston), you can opt in for different temporary options, such as filing cabinets, drawers, and anywhere you can store perishable items.
If you’re a Club kid, advocate for a Blessing Box at your Club. Offer service hours to high schoolers and let the younger kiddos help out with painting/decorating the box! This can also be a great project for Torch Club and Keystone to complete together. You can work with staff member on obtaining the proper tools and resources necessary. Once it is complete, a great way to fill these boxes is to host food drives and post flyers to engage the community.
About the Authors
Learn more about all the incredible members of the inaugural National Youth Advisory Council at BGCA.org.
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