Sterling, OK Blessing Box

11/04/2025

Donation Request for the Blessing Box

With the way the economy is right now, many families are struggling — including those on SNAP and even some of our military families. If you’re able, please consider adding some food or household supplies to the Blessing Box.

Every little bit helps. Please make sure all items are within their expiration dates.

If you’d like to make it special, you can even share a favorite budget-friendly recipe — just place the ingredients in a bag and include the recipe card.

In times like these, we need to lift each other up. No one is above anyone else — we all bleed the same color, and together we can make a difference. ❤️

07/02/2025

Most people buy what they think food pantry users want, but have never asked them. If you help families, single people, foster youth and the homeless, this list can help better tailor your donations! Some tips and guidance if you donate to food pantries derived from feedback by those who use them:

1. Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and butter which is hard to get from regular food banks.

2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of.

3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles.

4. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and
soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops.

5. Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice a-Roni which they also get a lot of.

6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift.

7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care.

8. Sugar and flour are treats.

9. They fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores.

10. Seeds are cool in Spring and Summer because growing can be easy for some.

11. They rarely get fresh meat.

12. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.

13. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef.

14. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread.

15. Butter or margarine is nice too.

16. Eggs are a real commodity.

17. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake. Bonus: add a pack of candles.

18. Dish Soap / Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated.

19. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that.

20. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing.

Also, please consider donating dog and cat food. Some people have hit a temporary low point and don’t want to give up their pets but find they have to choose to feed themselves or their pets.

Credit: Darlene Caron

04/30/2025

A Call for Help with the Blessing Box

Hi everyone,

For those who may not know, my family and I were the ones who put up the Blessing Box back in 2020. It came together quickly—donated, cleaned up, and painted—in response to the urgent need so many were facing during the early days of COVID. People were losing income, and we knew our community needed a small, consistent way to share and support one another.

Over the past five years, the Blessing Box has stood as a quiet symbol of hope and kindness. But time—and weather—has taken its toll. Storms have knocked it over several times, and it's become warped from the wear. There’s now a gap between the door and frame that lets in rain and makes it easy for critters to get inside.

It’s at a point where it might not survive much longer, especially with tonight’s storms coming in. I’d hate to see it go, especially knowing how many people in our area still use and rely on it.

So I’m reaching out:
If anyone has extra wood or plexiglass to donate, or the tools and time to help build a new, sturdier Blessing Box—possibly something similar to Elgin’s—we’d be so grateful. This little box has proven its worth in our community, and I’ll keep maintaining it as long as I can. But right now, we need some help to keep it going.

Please message or comment if you’re able to help with materials or building. Thank you so much for all the support you’ve shown over the years.

Misty

09/30/2023

If you'd like to donate food please no glass. We don't want anyone hurt on a jar that's been busted. We also ask that all soaps, detergents etc be put on bottom shelf (if possible) so if they bust it won't ruin the food. (Another words just use your better judgment lol).

If you need food please take enough for your family for a few days, so there is enough for others. If after a few days you need more please feel free to get more.

Any material possessions are not allowed (i.e. clothes, shoes household goods etc). But they can be taken to the Sterling Baptist Church. I'll post a link to them in comments.

My number is posted here if anyone has any questions.

Have a blessed day.

09/30/2023

Welcome new people! I'm sorry there hasn't been much posted in the last year. Unfortunately life gets in the way, even when your heart is in the right place. That also goes for the constant checking on the box itself. For awhile we had nothing in the box to offer. Now it seems someone (or more) has been trying to help keep something in it. Our box blew over in a storm at the beginning of spring and is now a little wonky. If anyone has a wooden china cabinet that has plexiglass/glass or the glass has been broke out that they'd like to donate please get in touch with me.

10/23/2022

There is bread on top of the blessing box. And a ton of can goods. Also Vitamin D drops for babies (thank you for whoever put them in the box) Alot of stuff can be put up for the holidays!

10/15/2022

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