I am so very thankful for the Blessing Box, to keep it succinct…read more I live in the area. I've got a rented roof, and I have a job. I have a car. But sometimes, just every so often, things don't synch up the way they ideally should. I live paycheck to paycheck, unexpected costs come up, prices fluctuate. And sometimes things are great, I have a lil' more than I need be it food, books, toiletries... I first leaned of this place a few years back. It intrigued me. I've loaded it up, I've filled it with food products, and I've shelved it with fresh literature. I've left beverages and cat food. And there are times I've returned to acquire such things when I find myself just a day or two short on funds or food. This isn't often at all, but it's been the matter of having a warm dinner vs nothing at all. A box of Mac and cheese, and maybe a can of beans, or whatever. I plan on swinging by tomorrow to drop off a delivery, a mix of things, as thanks to the Blessing Box. This is community right here.

The Blessing Box isn't exactly a business, it's a no-question-type food drop for any and all who…read moremight feel the need to drop off food items, or for those who need food items. It's in an open, secure area, and it's kept clean and neat. It's available at all hours, all days. It's one of the better community service ideas in our area, and I'm proud of Hallsdale Powell for supporting this endeavor. Five-bucks buys a lot of mac 'n cheese. Oatmeal for a good, filling breakfast. Sometimes, I slip a little toy in there. (Living, isn't all about food, you know.) I've seen canned goods, dried goods, even a colour book or two! You just hop outta your vehicle and drop-off or pick-up. No questions asked. Heck! There's no one there TO ask. If the need exists, The Blessing Box is there...

WONDER-FULL!!! I am one of six sisters born to my parents. I know the great spirit that connects…read moreus--ALL!!! I read over the website, I felt ever so grateful for the works the Sisters perform. I sincerely look forward to joining their efforts! I Stand. I SALUTE!!!

Laura was SO helpful getting our group registered and showing us around. Chris was also greatly…read morehelpful explaining our assignment and helping us with any questions. Great experience for the group of students I took there to volunteer!

This community area food bank is needs-based that depends on strict parameters established by…read moreUnited Way. Even if you do not think you qualify, it's always good to check. You can check by calling 211 (United Way), or direct at 423.265.8000. They do a good job in providing basics, but you don't get to choose and you get what you get. Our voucher included lots of canned vegetables (some smashed beyond usable), a gallon of 1% milk (expires 4.11.20), a 10 pound bag of potatoes, a small jar of Jif peanut butter and a large bag of yellow onions, plus some odd items like jarred marinated artichokes and a huge cottage cheese that expired 4.8.20. We picked up this food on 4.9.20, so I highly caution you to check your expiration dates before you eat anything. I do feel as though I shouldn't complain at all because United Way is providing this food free of any cost. That being said, it's far from what I would buy for my family had they put the money directly in my hands. We did receive some strange items, such as a "discontinued" and expired-a-month-ago Wal-Mart item of 'blue fondant' and a set of decorating tips (without bags) :P. Just for the heck of it, I opened the fondant and it was harder than play-doh. I looked further and tossed 90% of expired food. :/ I would like to see them provide some fresh items with the canned foods and less snack-type 'Little Debbie' items. I get the Little Debbie though, as their manufacturing plant is located here in Tennessee. Even those items were expired a month ago. Some off-name granola bars expired this past January. I really was disappointed not to receive fresh fruits and vegetables. Oranges, lettuce, celery and garlic all would have been more appreciated than a sugary children's cereal and snacks. Maybe even a few fruit snack packs that don't require refrigeration and a loaf of bread would have been better choices than some that they picked. All the workers and volunteers wore masks and gloves and practiced social distancing amid our current coronavirus status and they also were very polite and respectful. They even loaded the food into my vehicle. But they do not allow anyone to come inside and I glimpsed a refrigerator full of fresh produce and stacks of bread. You do know you can freeze bread, right?

Local Church Fellowship is an incredible way to experience God's family. This gathering is focused…read moreon community and fellowship centered on biblical teaching, communion (shared meals, and the sacrament), encouraging one another, and worshiping together.

I am so thankful for Local Church of Lenoir City - a house church that truly lives out the heart of…read moreJesus to be in fellowship with one another as described in Acts 2:42. Sunday church service is not measured by how engaging is the sermon, how great is the worship production, or how convenient is the church service time and location. Instead, it's about how we can rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn as we spend time in fellowship to pray, edify and encourage one another. I also appreciate the teaching aspect of the church, which falls on Wednesday each week as we have a touchpoint with the church body during mid-week. This is truly being in each other's life as we grow in the Lord - you're not just a number that probably no one would even notice if you haven't been to church for a while. I was part of Local Church when I didn't even know where to start reading in the Bible. It's because of this church that I've learned how to forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead, and what it means that "they will know us by our love."