Stark Blessing Box Initiative provides food around Stark County
Maiharriese Wooden doesn't want anyone to feel the way she did years ago when she applied for food stamp assistance for her two daughters.
"I sat at that office for two days," she recalled. "They wanted me to sell my car, which was my only means of transportation, and they wanted me to sell my kids' savings bonds before they would offer any help. All I wanted was a little bit of help so I could feed my kids. I never forgot that experience."
Today, the community engagement director at First Christian Church in Plain Township oversees the Stark Blessing Box Initiative, a network of portable boxes installed around the county and beyond that contain free, nonperishable food items for anyone in need.
Wooden got the idea after seeing similar boxes in Columbus, where she used to live.
"I thought 'That's nice,' but then God started telling me, 'You're going to do that here,'" she said.
Wooden was hesitant.
"For six months, God and I fought, but he won," she said with a laugh. "I didn't know anything about construction or building boxes, but I started reaching out to people."
Blessing Box Initiative launches in Stark County
The first Stark Blessing Box was installed in 2019 at the River of Life Church at 3281 State St. NW in Lake Township.
Then the pandemic hit, prompting her to install six more boxes in six months.
"It was an easy way for volunteers to help people, and a safe way for people to get items," she said.
Wooden said one of the benefits of the Stark Blessing Box Initiative is it grants people in need autonomy. The ministry's slogan is "Take what you need, leave what you can."
"I remember going to welfare to get help," she said. "I never forgot that experience, of being a number. I like the idea of empowering not only for recipients, but for the people giving something. It allows people to build community through small acts of kindness. It's not a full pantry, but a hand up."
The Rev. Jimmy McCloud, First Christian's lead pastor, said Wooden has a servant's heart.
"Maiharriese (pronounced my-hair-reese) is an incredible force for good," he said. "She loves Jesus, loves the people, and loves Canton. I can't think of anyone who is more willing to serve to meet the needs of people from all walks of life."
One of First Christian's priorities has always been to work in concert with community leaders, civil servants and other churches.
"Maiharriese is leading that charge, and it's no wonder she is so well respected by so many in our community," he said. "She is an above-and-beyond worker, an outside-the-box thinker and a servant-hearted leader. I am so proud of her and grateful for the work she does to show the compassion and love of Jesus to all people."
Maiharriese Wooden: 'You can't steal something that's being given away'
Wooden said the demand for food assistance has grown since 2019. Stark County's current poverty rate stands at 12%, which is higher than the national average of 11.6%, according the the U.S. Census Bureau.
"The need has gotten worse," she said, noting that the boxes in "food deserts," or communities with limited access to grocery stores, see the most activity.
Box locations in Canton, Cleveland and Minerva, she said, are among the most active.
At the height of the pandemic, the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services increased the amount of SNAP food benefits to offset the loss of income. About 1.4 million Ohioans receive about $270 a month in SNAP assistance. To qualify, recipients' income must be 130% below the federal poverty limit.
The pandemic increase was rescinded earlier this year.
"It's worse than it's ever been," Wooden said.
She pointed out the group's newest box, located outside of Trinity Baptist Church at 1121 E. Maple St. in North Canton, has been repeatedly filled since it was installed July 11.
"We're in North Canton; we're not in a food desert," she said. "If it's happening here, you can only imagine what's going on in rural areas."
Wooden said it disturbs her to hear people suggesting that the food is being stolen.
"You can't steal something that's being given away," she said. "A lot of people don't understand the trauma of being without and trying to feed your kids."
In addition to Stark County, Blessing Boxes have been installed in Cuyahoga Falls and Cleveland, Wooden said.
The ministry, which has no fixed budget, is dependent on monetary and in-kind donations.
"We do struggle," Wooden said. "But we have recurring donors."
Elizabeth Prosser Pansino, a member of Christ Presbyterian Church in Canton, describes Wooden as "an angel" whom she first met last year in an elevator at a Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival event, then a second time in a parking lot.
"I know that God was leading me to meet with Mai," she said.
Prosser Pansino said Christ Presbyterian installed a Blessing Box in April.
"Mai has a tremendous heart; has survived many storms," Prosser Pansino said. "Since our meeting last year, we have participated in a multiracial book club with about eight other ladies. She is currently leading a class for 'Be the Bridge' addressing racial reconciliation and engaging in cross cultural conversations."
For more information, contact Wooden at First Christian Church at 330-353-8323, or visit the Stark Blessing Box Initiative website at https://www.starkblessingbox.com.
Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @cgoshayREP.
The story behind Maiharriese Wooden's unusual name
Maiharriese Wooden said her first name is a combination of names − each with its own story.
"Mai," she said, comes from her father's Vietnamese secretary. He served as the first Black American Embassy guard. "Harriese" comes from her mother's dislike of middle names and a maternal great-uncle "Harrison," who purchased a house where the family's ancestors were enslaved.
"Many people don't know their history," she said. "Because of my name, I do."
Stark Blessing Box Initiative locations:
Beacon Academy (Dueber entrance), 1379 Garfield Ave. SW, Canton
The Bin (across from the Church of the Open Door), 11194 High St., Sandyville
Christ Presbyterian Church, 530 Tuscarawas St. W, Canton
Center Church of the Brethren, 2811 Ravenna Ave., Louisville
Church of God Worship Center, 1014 Harrison Ave. SW, Canton
ComforTec, 13221 Lincoln Way W, Massillon
Community Drop In Center, 1492 Cherry Ave. SE, Canton
Express Employment Professionals (rear entrance), 4675 Dressler Road NW, Jackson Township.
Fountain of Grace Outreach Ministries, 3210 E. 49th St., Cleveland
Helping Hands Network, 126 S. Main St., Waynesburg
Hope Outreach Ministry, 1530 Superior Ave. NE, Canton
In Memory of C.J. Evans, 959 The O'Jays Parkway NE, Canton
Lake Township FISH, 934 W. Maple St., Hartville
The Legacy Project of Stark, 708 Tremont Ave. SW, Massillon
Middle Sandy Presbyterian Church, 4306 Homeworth Road, Homeworth
Miss Helen's Box, 1520 S. Linden Ave., Alliance
Monroe Community Center, 2000 Third St. NE, Canton
New Morning Star Full Gospel Ministries, 718 Cornelia Ave. NE, Canton
Newell Realty and Auctions, 550 Canton Road, Carrollton
Paradise Church, 619 E. Main St., Louisville
Rally Sport Classics, 5045 Tuscarawas St. W, Perry Township
Rehoboth Rivers of Living Water Church, 1227 Fourth St. SE, Canton.
Ritzy Car Wash, 1920 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton
River of Life Church, 3281 State St. NW, Lake Township
The Salvation Army of Minerva, 301 Valley St.
St. Mary/St. Benedict Catholic Church (Back parking lot), 2207 Third St. SE, Canton.
St. Paul United Church of Christ (parish hall), 21 Wooster St., NW, Navarre
Trinity Baptist Church, 1211 E. Maple St., North Canton
United Presbyterian Church, 2819 Hudson Drive, Cuyahoga Falls
Whole Latte Love Cafe, 1308 S. Main St., North Canton
Wilmot United Methodist Church, 103 Milton St., Wilmot
YWCA of Alliance, 239 E. Market St.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: The Blessing Box Initiative battles hunger throughout Stark County
