Wheeling Health Right Obtains Grant To ‘Re-Shelve’ Blessing Box | News, Sports, Jobs

WHEELING — In late December — at about Christmas time – shelving was stolen out of Wheeling Health Right’s blessing box outside its building in South Wheeling.

Now the health care provider has received a $5,000 grant from the River Valley Health Foundation that will be used to buy new shelving, according to Kathie Brown, executive director of Wheeling Health Right.

“No, they didn’t steal items inside,” she explained. “They just dropped everything on the ground, and took the shelving. They left all the canned goods.”

Brown said Health Right has continued to replenish the items in the box, but volunteer stockers have just been setting items on the floor.

The box is restocked about every other day, especially during winter weather, she said.

“At least they can walk to us if they can’t get somewhere else,” Brown said.

The blessing box outside Health Right’s office at 61 29th St. is one of nine blessing boxes located in Ohio County — all of which are quite popular.

The purpose of the blessing boxes is to provide access to shelf-stable food to those who are not able to get to existing food pantries. Each box is well marked with the words “free pantry” and anyone who needs help is able to get what they need anonymously for themselves, their families, friends, and neighbors, explained Anne Ricci, marketing director for Wheeling Health Right.

Likewise, community members wanting to leave non-perishable items in the pantry for others are welcome to do so.

And some of the most-needed things aren’t food, according to Ricci.

“What seems to go first are feminine hygiene products and soap,” she said. “As for food, we do a lot of canned chicken and pork — anything that can help an individual.

“It is a nice way for people to help themselves. And once others hear about the box, if they get a chance they put items in it. That’s greatly appreciated,” Ricci said.

Established in 2017, River Valley Health Foundation is a health advocate, whose mission is to improve the health of the Ohio Valley. The Foundation identifies areas of healthcare vulnerability and partners with organizations whose work addresses these issues. The Foundation also identifies and provides funds to assist health care professionals in serving the residents with the highest quality of care, according to information provided by Health Right.