When your luck is down you should always look up. Throughout a lifetime, it is given that any human will find a spot where they are down on their luck. When you find yourself in that position, when you just need a small item or two to get by, where do you turn? Where can you find a blessing to get you by?

A few years ago, lifelong resident of Union County, April Copper-Lock, said “The Lord laid it on my heart to reach out to the community and help those going through less fortunate times.” She did not let her feelings of unworthiness slow her actions. She had no grasp on how she could make this happen or why the task had been laid on her heart, but without hesitation she jumped into action.

April, along with her husband and three children, enjoy anything pertaining to the Lord and to their community. Together they decided to start a Blessing Box in devotion to both. Pulling together resources, her father, Roger Cooper, put his handyman skills to work and built a box in no time. Friends, Tracie and James Hawkins, helped out in creating some signage for the structure to increase visibility and understanding. As pictured the box decoratively reads, “Take what you need, leave what you can. Little becomes much in the Master’s hand.”

The Blessing Box is located at 1545 Maynardville Highway at Veterinary Doc Williams new office building. The box is solely run on donations and kind hearts. Typically the goal is to keep a stock of food, hygiene items, and even a few pieces of clothing and household items for grabs, basically anything a family could use. There are regularly items taken and replaced.

The name holds true, as it truly is a box of blessings in so many ways. Everything donated is greatly appreciated and needed. Items do not have to be new as gently used items are welcomed as well. April says, “We could all use a little help along the way at times. Whether it be due to job loss or just needing to get through til that next payday.”

A favorite Blessing Box story is one of an elderly gentleman witnessed taking a tube of toothpaste from the box. He took one single tube of toothpaste, nothing else. So many items of choice and he chose a mere tube of toothpaste. It is apparent, that is all he needed and left the rest for others in need. “It really touched my heart and I knew at that moment the Lord was definitely in this,” April said.

It is a grateful opportunity as a community to join this journey with April and the so many other kind hearts that have been a part of this project over the time of its existence.

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13