​​FOOD BOXES

It’s our mantra to ‘Be the Village’ for those in need in our community. There are FIFTEEN Food Boxes throughout Chester County.

What are they?

​Community food boxes! Sometimes called blessing boxes, these open containers are a gathering place for neighbor-to-neighbor giving. The boxes are unlocked and can be either STOCKED or SHOPPED from at any time, by anyone, for any reason. These are meant to be great resources for the homeless, folks down on their luck, folks in between benefit payments, hungry school students or really just anyone. They work on the honor system and have been a wonderful success so far!

​Where are they?

Click the map for locations!

(Click the headers to see them on google maps & get directions!)

1. COATESVILLE – ABDALA PARK Abdala Park is between 9th & 10th Ave, on the south side of business rt 30 through Coatesville. The box is located right near the bus stop bench on the south side of rt 30.
2. COATESVILLE – ASH PARK Ash Park is between 3rd & 4th Ave, and between Kersey & Walnut Streets. The box is right near entrance to park on 3rd Ave.
3. COATESVILLE - LIGHT OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH 1920 E Kings Hwy, Coatesville, PA 19320
4. DOWNINGTOWN - EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH 199 Wallace Ave, Downingtown PA 19335
5. DOWNINGTOWN – TRAIN STATION The box is right next to the bike rack and located on the west bound or Lancaster Ave/Rt. 30 side of the station, right across from Station Taproom and accessible from the train station parking lot.
6. DOWNINGTOWN - EAST WARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 435 Washington Ave, Downingtown PA 19335 
7. DOWNINGTOWN - BEAVER CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 601 W Pennsylvania Ave, Downingtown PA 19335
8. DOWNINGTOWN - BRADFORD HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1330 Romig Rd, Downingtown, PA 19335 
9. DOWNINGTOWN - LIONVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 526 W Uwchlan Ave, Downingtown, PA 
10. ELVERSON - WEST NANTMEAL MUNICIPAL BUILDING 455 N Manor Rd, Elverson PA 19520 
11. HONEY BROOK - HEARTS & HANDS COMMUNITY CENTER 1 Lenape Way, Honey Brook PA 19344. The box is located at Indian Run. 
12. HONEY BROOK - SAINT MARK'S CHURCH 1040 Chestnut Tree Road, Honey Brook PA 19344. The box is located in the parking lot of the church.
13. MODENA - BOROUGH HALL  5 Woodland Ave, Modena PA 19358. The box is located next to the borough building
14. MORGANTOWN - VILLAGE LIBRARY 207 N Walnut Street, Morgantown PA 19543
15. THORNDALE - UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 3503 Lincoln Highway, Thorndale PA 19372. 

 
We are having more boxes built in 2023. Where would you like to see them? Message us!

How can I help??

Please be our EYES! Help keep an eye on the boxes…stop by when you can and have a look…do they need stocked? Could they use a spit-shine? Is a box in distress? PLEASE LET US KNOW by calling or texting 484-364-5598 OR emailing [email protected] and we will coordinate with the host of that food box. 

Help us STOCK! You are welcome to donate items to any food box, at any time. When you’re at the store, keep an eye out for deals on the kinds of products listed below and comment on our Facebook group to let us know! When you can, leave a blessing or two behind for those in need!

Be a BOX BUDDY! Can't get to a box that often? Wish you could stock more and have time on your hands? Let's work together!! We're collecting donations for specifically for the boxes. Every donation of $25 fills a box one time OR sign up to be a Box Buddy Volunteer and go shopping on behalf of a Box Buddy donor!! Click here to be a Box Buddy!

​What should I get?

YES PLEASE:

• Non-perishable food items in manufacturers retail packaging (aka cans or plastic packaging, food staples with long shelf life)
• Foods with protein like tuna, jerky, peanut butter, tuna/chicken salad kits
• Bandaids
• Deodorant
• Chapstick, Lotion, Sunscreen
• Tissues
• Individual rolls of toilet paper
• Toothbrush/Paste
• Wet-wipes
• Personal care items in travel size packages
• Feminine Products
• Diapers
• Gloves, scarves, hats are OK in winter months
• Pet Food (canned please)
• Condoms

NO THANK YOU:

• CLOTHES. So important we need to say it twice, please, NO CLOTHES*
• GLASS (especially during winter months…think freezing & breaking!)
• Paper or other non-weather and varmint safe packaging
• Home cooked items, or items not in their original sealed packaging
• Razors or anything potentially unsafe
• Hand sanitizer, mouthwash (alchohol)
• Anything in large containers
• Anything with alcohol
• Blankets, bedding, shoes, kids toys
• Anything that won’t fit in the box
• Frozen Food
• Use your best judgement, anything that gives you the slightest hesitation is best donated to the Lord’s Pantry or other facility with staff and temperature appropriate storage. 🙂

 THANK YOU for being the village for your neighbor!!! Make sure you join our email list below and join our Facebook group to stay in the loop with all the wonderful projects throughout the year!