Community Members Stock Dozens of Blessing Boxes to Help Those in Need of Food

A network of local “blessing boxes” throughout Rutherford County help local families who struggle with food insecurity, though many of the boxes empty quickly after they are filled. In response to the ongoing need, dedicated community organizers are working consistently to keep the food pantries filled and the blessings coming.

“The blessing boxes had been in downtown Murfreesboro for a few years when my husband and I had started filling the boxes outside of First Baptist Church during the winter when the men’s shelter was open,” said Sarah Carroll, an organizer of The Blessing Boxes of Rutherford County Facebook group. “We noticed that every time we put items in it, it would empty right away, so I knew there was a big need.

“When we first started the group there were a handful of boxes around town,” Carroll told the Pulse in July 2024, “and then it started to spread around the county about three years ago.”

About that same time, on another side of Rutherford County in La Vergne, Deborah Balthrop and her granddaughter Kayleigh-Anne decided to get involved and began to work on getting blessing boxes placed around town.

“Through Kayleigh’s efforts to address food insecurity in Middle Tennessee, we created the We Are Hope Foundation,” Balthrop said. “The foundation has sponsored her dream of setting up blessing boxes throughout the city of La Vergne. In 2022, three little food pantries were built at Skyline Exhibitor Source, The Sonic Drive-In and at La Vergne Rescue Squad.”

The pantries are stocked by community members and volunteers with a variety of items like non-perishable food, toiletries, household items and school supplies. Anyone can take what they need from the pantries.

Those interested in helping out, or those in need of food, can communicate on a Facebook group named Blessing Boxes of Rutherford County.

“Blessing Boxes of Rutherford County has over 8,000 people now,” Carroll said. “More people than that know about it. And right now, we have about 50 boxes spread throughout the county.”

These pantries are always open. One of the boxes is outside Fellowship United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro, 24 hours a day, “providing a convenient and accessible resource for those facing financial difficulties or other challenges,” Fellowship UMC’s website says.

“There is a high demand for food right now,” Carroll said. “That can be [from] anyone from low-income families to the elderly, who aren’t really getting a lot on their Social Security. Anything they can get to help stretch their money is very helpful to them. It helps our homeless community, college students and just about anyone who is down on their luck. There are lot more people in need right now. Especially the homeless and for children.”

Blessing Box at Blackman Church of Christ, 1353 Brinkley Rd.

In consideration of the homeless community some will also place soap and other hygiene items in the boxes.

People who are moving to Rutherford County have also reached out to The Blessing Boxes of Rutherford County.

“They know their money will be really tight since they have to pay for a new home and stuff like that,” Carroll said. “So they have already reached out for resources to help their families.”

In the summer, some of the most needed items in the blessing boxes are frozen bottles of water, hygiene wipes, ready-to-eat food and school supplies (excluding items like glue and crayons that will melt). An Amazon wish list called Kayleigh’s Hope contains needed items that anyone can purchase on Amazon for the boxes.

Volunteers are also needed to help build boxes and donate lumber. Blessing Boxes of Rutherford County administrator Doug Caldwell helps distribute boxes and set up the boxes around Rutherford County.

Aside from food and hygiene products, Animal City Pet Center (919 NW Broad St.) hosts an animal blessings box for those who cannot afford pet food, and Boro Medical & Lifestyle Clinics (517 Cason Ln., C) has a medicine box for those who need assistance.

For more information, or to become involved, visit the Facebook pages for The Blessing Boxes of Rutherford County and Kayleigh-Anne Balthrop.

>>> Rutherford County Blessing Box Locations
Murfreesboro:
Walter Hill Baptist Church – 6607 Lebanon Rd.
Crescent Church of Christ – 4915 Barfield Crescent Rd.
Advent Lutheran Church – 1700 Irby Ln.
Resident Box – 7546 Antietam Ln.
Fellowship United Methodist Church – 2511 New Salem Hwy.
Real Life Church of the Nazarene – 2022 E. Main St.
Blackman Church of Christ – 1353 Brinkley Rd.
Doors of Hope – 428 E. Bell St.
John Pittard Elementary School – 745 Dejarnette Ln.
Jerusalem Cumberland Presbyterian Church – 7192 Mona Rd.
Leanna Church of Christ – 4198 Sulphur Springs Rd.
St. Patrick’s Anglican Church – 7103 Baker Rd.
Stones River Church of Christ – 1607 Hamilton Dr.
Salem Creek Church – 2525 Salem Creek Dr.
Trinity United Methodist Church – 2303 Jones Blvd.
Emery United Methodist Church – 2989 Emery Rd.

Farris Chapel Methodist Church – 2914 Barfield Rd.
First Baptist Church – box located on Vine Street across from the fire station
Hobgood Elementary School – 307 S. Baird Ln.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – 116 N. Academy St.
Murfreesboro Missionary Baptist – 316 Fortress Blvd.
Florence Church of Christ – 6732 Old Nashville Hwy.
Rutherford County Child Support – 20 N. Public Sq., 3rd floor
Resident Box – 295 Highfield Dr.
Zion Hill Baptist Church – 5121 Leanna Rd.
Kingwood Church of Christ – 115 E. MTCS Rd.
Powell’s Chapel Baptist Church – 8697 Powell’s Chapel Rd.
Pet Supplies Box: Animal City Pet Center – 919 NW Broad St.
Medicine Box: Boro Medical & Lifestyle Clinics – 517 Cason Ln., C

Smyrna:
Smyrna Church of Christ – 205 Front St.
Cornerstone Methodist Church – 349 Chaney Rd.
Williams Scotsman – 326 Weakley Ln.
Smyrna Church of the Nazarene – 404 Overton Dr.

VFW Post 8422 – 10157 Old Nashville Hwy.
Living Faith Ministries – 208 Jefferson Pike
The River at Smyrna – 8200 Safari Dr.
Stewart’s Creek LifePoint Church – 5100 Almaville Rd.
Stewart’s Creek Church of Christ – 4551 Poplar Wood Rd.
Highland Height’s Church of Christ – 785 S. Lowery St.
The Smyrna Justice Center – 400 Enon Springs Rd. E. (inside)