Adam Weber stopped by his new Blessing Box located street side to Alpine Community Church on Saturday morning to stock it with food for anyone who might be in need.
Weber decided to build the Blessing Box for his Eagle project with Boy Scout Troop 396 after speaking with community leader Pam Price at Steele Canyon High School.
“I thought it was a cool idea already… it leaves a lasting impact on the community,” Weber said.
The 17-year old Eagle Scout constructed the little pantry completely out of re-purposed materials, many of which were donated by Brent Johnson. Built from a solid wood cabinet, Weber added legs made from re-purposed 4 x 4 beams, a thick metal roof, and shatterproof acrylic door.
“The painting was really fun; I had help and it was fun to hang out together and get the project done,” Weber said.
He said that constructing the pantry only took a few hours and was the easier part of earning his Eagle rank; the accompanying paperwork proved more difficult to navigate.
According to the Boy Scouts of America blog, only 2.01 percent of eligible Scouts have earned the rank of Eagle since its inception in 1912.
To top off completing the Blessing Box and earning the rank of Eagle, Weber gathered donations to initially stock the cabinet along with help from Dario Carson, 16, a fellow member of Troop 396.
Community members are invited to help keep the cabinet stocked with non-perishable food and personal hygiene items. Alpine Community Church Officer Tom Myers said that members of the church will check the box periodically to make sure it is stocked and that the food items are protected from the weather.
Myers also said that nothing is asked of residents who help themselves to food or personal items from the little pantry.
“Take what you need or leave what you can,” Meyers said.
