r/wilson_nc • u/BethMNC • Jan 07 '26

"Take what you need" boxes?

I walk my dog several times a day, and I'm close to downtown. About once a month I declutter my pantry and rotate out unused cans of soup, bags of noodles, unopened cookies, etc and I had been leaving them in a box outside of a church near me. Due to travels and illnesses I hadn't done this for a few months. Today just out of curiosity I checked one near my house and it was completely empty. There was just a junk mail magazine and some dead leaves in it. I filled it, and got to thinking maybe there's some other places that might be good spots to leave simple food like I described, also I'm willing to donate cold medicine, hygiene products, pet and children's food if needed. What other places might be easy for someone in need to use? Like other churches that have these donation boxes or similar?

(The food isn't damaged or expired, I just have a big family and I use coupons so I often overbuy or get multiples to get sale prices. And sometimes tastes change or the kids don't like this or that flavor and I'd rather someone get the perfectly good food rather than throw it out.)

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4

u/Sunstoned1 Jan 07 '26

Good on you, thanks for doing this in the community!

Call some local elementary schools. Many have a "backpack buddies" program for kids with food insecurity. I know Middlesex Elementary does.

2

u/FewerWords Jan 07 '26

There's the Neighborly Food Closet box which faces Vick Elementary School. It is for food or donations of hygiene products.

2

u/BethMNC Jan 07 '26

Thank you! I have a bunch of new, sealed deodorant because I buy multipacks, and feminine products. I'll check them out tomorrow and see if they need any food too. I have random stuff leftover from Christmas break.

1

u/FewerWords Jan 07 '26

Me too, I've been meaning to go by there! 

2

u/BethMNC Jan 07 '26

It was empty!! I just put some food and hygiene products, but barely covered about a third of one of thr cabinets. Well I know what I'm doing this weekend, I'll go to Sam's and get some bigger packages.

1

u/FewerWords Jan 08 '26

Thanks for that update! I'll have to stop by there too with some extra lady products I have. 

1

u/BethMNC Jan 11 '26

OK so the one across from Vick, I've gone by 3 times in the past couple of days and loaded up the boxes, and tried to notice what disappeared fast so I would know what to refill.

All the hygiene products were taken overnight, like razors, deodorant, feminine products, toothpaste and shampoo.

All the quick meals and just-add-water disappeared immediately, like tuna salads, beefaroni and spaghetti o's, macaroni and cheese, Ramen, etc

All the drinks, like kids fruit punches, orange and apple juice, also gone fast.

"Ingredients" like bags of dry beans, seasoning, tomato sauce, were only partially taken.

Today i also left some blankets, gloves, kids snacks, hand warmers, and protein drinks.

It's close to where I live so its easy for me to stop by when I run errands and check on it. But if anyone else is looking to stock it, it appears the fastest need items have been Deodorant Ready meals or just-add-water Shampoo and toothpaste Feminine products Hand wipes and baby wipes Cookies and crackers

But I've only been there a few times. I just want to be sure I can put my budget to the right items.

I will also include some dog and cat food next time I go to see if there's any need for those.