Sometimes, life gets tough. All kinds of things can happen to us, and then suddenly money's tight and it gets harder and harder to get by. Sadly, this happens to many people, and they could all use a little help. However, many of them don't often get it.
But in Wichita, Kansas, things just got a little easier after a community became connected.
It's all thanks to Maggie Ballard and her 6-year-old son, Paxton. Together, they built a tiny free pantry named the Blessing Box. The pair keeps it stocked with nonperishable foods, toiletries, and other necessities.
Those in need are welcome to take what they need, and people are also encouraged to leave some goodies when they can.
Free pantries like this are not new. In fact, they've been popping up all over the U.S. and beyond as neighbors and communities come together to help each other out and make sure no one is left in need.
Maggie's Blessing Box sits in her front yard. It's painted bright red so everyone can see it.
And it's not just the two of them stocking it anymore. As word spread through Wichita about the special box, more and more people started stopping by to drop off supplies for those in need. Maggie thinks this is just wonderful, and exactly the kind of community-based action she'd hoped for.
In addition, it's teaching Paxton that even small gestures of kindness can really make an enormous difference.
[H/T: My Modern Met, NPR, Huffington Post]
Maggie Ballard and her 6-year-old son, Paxton, created the Blessing Box, a free pantry open to the public right in their front yard.
The Blessings Box is stocked with nonperishable food, toiletries, and other necessities. People are encouraged to take what they need and to leave something for someone else if they can.
The sign reads: "Take a blessing when you need one. Leave a blessing when you can."
Maggie had long wanted to help her community, and was inspired by the idea of the tiny free pantries that have popped up in neighborhoods and cities all over the country.
"I felt like this was something I could do, something small that, you know, would benefit so many people so long as the word got out about it," she said.
And word has gotten out. When it first started, Maggie and Paxton were the only ones stocking it. Soon, though, others were coming by to drop off food and supplies for the community.
People have also been using it to get things they need.
Most people come under cover of night, but Maggie and Paxton have seen a few of them collecting food and supplies, including a hungry family on Christmas Eve.
"They were all bundled up, backpacks and all," Maggie remembered. "[I'm glad] that the food was available, but crushed to see them walk away in those conditions."
Still, if her Blessing Box is helping, she's happy.
Besides lending a helping hand to those in need, Maggie also hopes the Blessing Box will serve as a good lesson and example for Paxton, and maybe even inspire him to help others later in life.
Paxton monitors the box's inventory every day, and loves to check on it each morning.
"It gives him a little chore to kind of watch it and see what comes and goes and who comes and goes, and maybe learn a little lesson from it," his mom said.
Paxton has also helped spread the word about the Blessing Box, telling his friends and their families.
The community has responded, too.
Paxton once found a card addressed to him in the box that read, "I'm old enough to be your grandpa, and all my heroes are getting old and dying. Now you are my new hero!"
Others have expressed their gratitude for a little help during tough times.
Want to get involved with something like this? Check out the Little Free Pantry's website for information about contributing to this cause or even how to build a little free pantry of your own.
You can also watch the video below to learn more about Maggie's pantry, and SHARE this amazing way to help out your neighbors with everyone you know to make a difference!
