Columbus St. Mary School, located in the city’s German Village neighborhood, celebrated the opening of a new Blessings Box, part of the Columbus Blessing Boxes Project, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 4.
Blessing Boxes are outdoor, publicly located cabinets to donate items. Boxes can include non-perishable food items, toiletries, baby supplies and items that can be considered a blessing for individuals in need.
St. Mary’s Talented and Gifted (TAG) program, which includes 38 students in grades five to eight who demonstrate giftedness or high academic achievement, spent six weeks studying food insecurity.
Students engaged in lessons, guided discussions and collaborative planning. They explored best practices for building, stocking and maintaining Blessing Boxes.
“This project beautifully reflects who we are as a school,” principal Gina Stull said. “Our students didn’t just learn about food insecurity – they listened, asked thoughtful questions and took action.
“The Blessings Box is a tangible expression of faith in action, and I am incredibly proud of our TAG students for leading this work with compassion, purpose and care for our neighbors.”
Students in TAG at St. Mary meet several times weekly in small groups. The program challenges gifted students academically and encourages leadership, critical thinking and service-based learning.
Tomo, a fifth-grade student at St. Mary in the program, was selected to cut the ribbon. She reflected on food insecurity in an essay.
“Before I started learning about it, I had no idea, but once I learned about it, I knew it was hard,” she wrote. “That’s why TAG is helping the community.
“I’m glad we’re helping because, even if it makes a small impact, what’s important is that we tried.”
The school project, enforcing St. Mary’s mission of faith, service and community care, was funded by a grant from ServeOhio MLK Day of Service.
The project was also supported by donations, including a $1,000 seed donation used to stock the Blessing Box with items that will bless the community.
“I had a fun time learning about this project,” sixth-grade student Ellis said. “It widened my knowledge of food insecurity in our community.”
The Columbus Blessing Boxes Project began in January 2018. The initiative has grown to boxes located in more than 100 parts of Columbus and the greater central Ohio area.