Blessing box that helps those in need vandalized in downtown Concord

CONCORD, N.C. — Gabe Perry built a “blessing box” in 2020 as part of a months-long Eagle Scout project aimed at helping those who are food insecure or homeless.

Nearly 18 months later, he’s back at Rotary Square in downtown Concord making repairs after someone vandalized it.

“Cans were thrown at it and food was smeared around it,” Perry told Channel 9.

The box, once filled with food and other items, is now damaged, with the glass broken and wood stained.

1CAN founder Sheryl Kluge makes sure the box is always filled, along with six other blessing boxes around Cabarrus County.

“We’ve been running for three years and this is the first time one of our boxes has been vandalized,” she said.

The nearby Sheriff’s Office said it identified the vandal on video, but Kluge said they won’t be pressing charges.

“Unfortunately, it was one of the homeless residents,” she told Channel 9. “Pressing charges wouldn’t help anybody, right?”

Kluge said she’s even more committed to helping, especially when so many people rely on the boxes during the pandemic and amid rising grocery prices.

She estimates 50 people or more take an item from the box each day, although she doesn’t have an exact number -- but that’s by design.

“There’s so much shame in this issue that people don’t want people to know they have to come here to feed their kids or feed themselves,” Kluge said.

The box is currently out of service, but Perry is working to change that. They’re relying on community donations to restock the shelves.

Perry told Channel 9 he’s amazed.

“It makes me feel wonderful that people are supporting us during this time,” he said.

The most recent data from 2019 shows 11% of Cabarrus County residents are considered food insecure -- that data is from before the pandemic. County officials expect that number to be much higher now, but they don’t have an official count.

If you’d like to learn more about 1CAN, click here.

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