Man Built A Food Pantry On His Front Yard So The Hungry Could Eat, Inspires His Home Of Watertown To Follow Suit

Oct 01, 2019 by apost team

Roman Espinoza served his country with distinction in the United States Army and is now once again working for the benefit of the nation. The 48-year-old veteran set up his very own food pantry in what he calls a “Blessing Box” on his front lawn in Watertown, New York.

Roman’s thinking behind the box is simple. Explaining it to reporters from CNN, Roman said that the box is open all day every day for anyone who might need food or wants to donate food. First setting up the Blessing Box in 2017, Roman says that he never locks it.

In an interview with Good Housekeeping, Roman told of how he got the idea for the Blessing Box. When he was taking classes at a nearby community college, Roman was surprised to discover that the campus had a food pantry of its own. Looking back, Roman was shocked by his naivety, thinking that if someone could afford to go to college, they could afford to buy their own food. After watching a news segment about another individual’s Blessing Box on NBC News, Roman realized that people in his own neighborhood might also be struggling with hunger.

With the encouragement of his professors and neighbors, Roman set up the Blessing Box on his front lawn, initially stocking it with canned food.

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Since this first act of selflessness, Roman has barely had to put anything into the Blessing Box as neighbors frequently pitch-in to help the community. When his story went viral, Roman explained to reporters that there are no questions asked when it comes to the Blessing Box. Elaborating, Roman told how since the box was started, the community now donates other essentials to it, namely hygiene items like toothpaste and shampoo.

One thing that the Blessing Box does not accept is monetary donations, with Roman telling people to take what you need when you need it and to donate items when you’re in a better position.

While Roman accepts that the Blessing Box is just a short-term solution for the persistent problem of hunger in the world, he feels that at the very least he is helping to give people a meal if they need it. Roman’s example has inspired people in communities around the United States to set up their own Blessing Box. Differing in shape and size, they all share the same neighborly idea of “Take what you need. Leave what you can.”

What do you think of Roman’s Blessing Box? Does your community have a similar spot where people can donate and take items as needed? Let us know in the comments - and make sure you pass this along to your friends and family!