Grace United Methodist asks council permission to place ‘blessing bag’ boxes on city property

Lori Lambert, speaking for the Grace United Methodist outreach program, asked the Waverly Village Council for permission to place sealed “blessing bag” boxes on city property so residents in need could take small hygiene and warmth items without asking for them.

“I’m actually really asking for permission or some input on this,” Lambert said, describing plans to assemble bags with gloves, socks and grooming items and to keep them in plastic-lined boxes inside park shelter houses to protect items from weather. She said the church would collect donations through Thanksgiving and aim to place boxes in early December.

Council members discussed appropriate locations, noting concerns about appearance and duplication of existing services. Lambert said River Valley runs weekly suppers that also distribute items and that the blessing bags were intended for people who might not want to ask for help in person. Council members suggested limiting placement to the park shelter houses and potentially Walnut Street park; they also discussed municipal staff handling barricade and pickup logistics for other events.

After discussion, a council member moved to allow the church to place blessing-bag boxes in designated shelter houses and limited park locations; the motion was seconded and carried by roll call.

The council did not set an exact list of locations in the meeting; Lambert said the church would coordinate timing (collection through Thanksgiving and placement in early December) and work with staff on placement to avoid duplication of existing River Valley services.