New blessing box in Norwalk

Norwalk has a new Blessing Box, Norwalk Elks Lodge #730 announced Monday. The Lodge constructed and installed the new Blessings Box with the supervision of Trustee Mel Holida. Members took part in the initial construction and donated materials and time. The box was then sanded and primed. After the box was constructed, it was handed off to Artists' Open Studio, which has received several Ohio Elks grants. Various artists and supervisors provided the finishing touches with their inspired art. After decorations were added, Holida mounted it on a pole that was also painted. Monies used for the project came from a Spotlight Grant from the Elks National Foundation and money left over from construction was used to purchase nonperishable food donations to fill the box. The Lodge also had public relations cards printed to announce this new source of food for those in need. Those cards are being handed out to area nonprofits and organizations that provide assistance for those in need to be disbursed throughout the community. Blessing boxes are scattered throughout Huron County and are located at: Collins United Methodist Church, 4290 Hartland Center Road Gaymont Nursing Home, 66 Norwood Ave., Norwalk IVY, 21 North Hester St. (corner of Hester and Monroe), Norwalk Norwalk Eagles Club, 151 Cline St., Norwalk St. Mary's by the rectory off Baker Street, Norwalk St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran, 243 Benedict Ave., Norwalk (use Executive Drive entrance) Victory Baptist Church, 132 Gallup Ave., Norwalk Olena Blessing Box, 540 U.S. 250 South, Olena Willard Church of the Nazarene, 4414 W. Townline Road 12, Willard Norwalk Catholic, 31 Milan Ave., Norwalk. A full list of locations can also be found at the Norwalk Area United Fund's website.