A community food box, offering free nonperishable food items for individuals and families in need, was recently installed at the West Nantmeal Township Recreation Area, located next to the township building at 455 N. Manor Road (Route 82), Elverson. The box is situated next to the site's Little Free Library.

The food box was provided by It Takes a Village, a nonprofit organization that has established 13 food boxes, also called blessing boxes, throughout Chester County and one in Berks County. Each box contains the motto, "Take only what you need. Leave behind what you can."

The community food box at the township building is the fourth box that has been put into place by Nathan Lutz, a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. The first box was installed by Lutz at the church, located at 1040 Chestnut Tree Road, Honey Brook, in November 2020. In January 2021, Lutz installed a second box at the Village Library, 207 N. Walnut St., Morgantown, and a third box at the Hearts in Hands Community Center, located in the Indian Run mobile home park at 1 Lenape Way, Honey Brook.

The most recent food box installation was approved by the township. "(Township secretary/treasurer) Deb Kolpak thought it was great idea and she was on board, and It Takes a Village posted that they needed someone to install the box at the township building," said Lutz. "It Takes a Village donated everything. The township provided the location and their permission to put it there."

During the installation process, Lutz dug a three-foot hole and then cemented the post that holds the box into the ground. "I put in some food just to get it started," Lutz said. "Just like the other ones, anyone can put food in it or take food out."

Lutz emphasized that only nonperishable items should be placed in the box. Shampoo, toothpaste and other toiletries are also acceptable.

Items that should not be placed in the boxes include fresh food, frozen food, homemade food, repackaged food and food in glass jars, which may freeze and break. No clothing, toys, towels or shoes should be placed in the boxes.

According to It Takes a Village, the community food box program is designed to help the homeless, people who are experiencing hard times or hungry school students. The boxes are unlocked and can be accessed by anyone at any time.

For more information about the program, to learn the locations of the other food boxes, to make a donation or to suggest an additional food box location, visit http://www.ittakesavillagecc.org/food-boxes.html.