Some students at Hopewell Elementary School in Dublin, Ohio live in poverty; a few are identified as unhoused. Jerome United Methodist Church, located near the school discovered this to be an opportunity for ministry partnership.

It began with a casual conversation between a member of Jerome UMC and a Columbus City Schools teacher who revealed how teachers offer students “to -go” snacks after school to stave off hunger before their next meal. Michele Blackburn, Jerome UMC mission coordinator and other church members met with the lead faculty at Hopewell to discuss a collaboration to serve those children.

In the Fall of 2022, Boxes of Hope was born, and the Jerome UMC congregation rallied behind it. This ministry donates boxes of non-perishable food, personal hygiene products and joy to student’s families at Hopewell. Bi-monthly, seven families identified by the faculty receive a box filled with items such as cereal, protein bars, toilet paper and toothpaste. To add joy, each box contains a game for family fun.

This ministry touches up to thirty-five individuals through the seven families of various ages; mostly single parent households. Although these families are aware the Boxes of Hope is from Jerome UMC, Hopewell keeps the identity of these families confidential.

Jerome UMC members contribute by shopping, donating items, and packing boxes. “What I like [about this ministry] is at any age, you can get involved,” said Blackburn. “We have families who shop together to give to Boxes of Hope.”

Boxes of Hope receives 70% of its support from the Jerome congregation. This year, the ministry was a recipient of a 2024 Go! Grant from the West Ohio Annual Conference and has recieved support through a Community Ministries Grant from the Capital Area District.

Last Christmas, Boxes of Hope received and fulfilled multiple Christmas wish lists from Hopewell families helping them to have the Christmas they desired. In response, the church received several thank you letters and notes from the recipients and their children.

Blackburn believes the beauty of this ministry is not knowing the identity of who receives Boxes of Hope. When asked why this is important, Blackburn said, “This is what we are called to do. To show love to everyone.”

Written by Amy Graham, Freelance Writer for the West Ohio Conference