Blessing Box Provides Food for USC Aiken Students

Aiken, SC (03/01/2019) — The Aiken Rotary Club and Aiken Junior Women's Club partnered with the University of South Carolina Aiken to provide and stock a blessing box in the heart of campus, making non-perishable food items and toiletries available to members of the student body.

"This blessing box is a culmination of efforts that started with a suggestion made by a student of the month to Aiken Rotary Club," said Jane Page Thompson, a member of Rotary who helped establish the blessing box program in this area.

Rotary funded the material for the box and partnered with the Aiken Public School District Career Center to have it built by students in the school system. Full Circle Fence installed the blessing box, and Aiken Junior Woman's Club and Aiken Scholars Academy will monitor and stock the box going forward.

"The blessing box initiative stems from the vision of Melanie Inabinent, founder of the Aiken Blessing Box initiative, who partnered with Yolanda Archuletta, executive director for Habitat for Humanity. This truly is a unique community partnership that benefits some of our neighbors in need all over Aiken County," Thompson said.

This USC Aiken box is a result of swift action taken by local civic organizations. While the Rotary initiated the effort after hearing the personal story of prolonged hunger from a USC Aiken student, the Junior Women's Club committed to ensuring the USC Aiken Blessing Box is stocked.

"I am grateful to all those involved in this efforts who made this blessing box available on our campus to ensure food is available not only for our own students but members of the community who may be in need," said Dr. Sandra Jordan, chancellor.

"I am very proud of the brave student who shared his story and experience of prolonged periods of hunger with Aiken Rotary. Because of his courage and humility, other Pacers and neighbors of the university will have food available."

One student leader explained that often college students, who may be on strict budgets, have to make tough choices.

"As a college student, resources are extremely tight - finances are limited - and often stretched in very creative ways, much further than you may imagine," said Q'Lardin Qourters, a member of the USC Aiken Student Government Association who spoke during the dedication ceremony.

"When you're on a budget, like many of us are, it's often tough to decide how best to spend your money - sometimes you have to make tough decisions, which might include whether you spend your money on food or groceries. The priorities of the day - sometimes the minute - can override the need for food.

"Thank you so much to everyone involved in this effort. This is a tremendous gift to so many people in our campus community - some we may know personally. We may never know they have such a need."

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