Feeding Neighbors in Manhattan

A person puts canned food into a blessing box.

A blessing box with food inside.

Listen to the full feature storyBy. Uriah Kerner

2:29

In the Little Apple, hunger isn't always visible, but it is present. Tucked away in parking lots, churchyards, and near bus stations, twenty-nine small wooden pantries, known as Blessing Boxes, serve as a 24/7 resource for those facing food insecurity. 

For Kathrine Schlageck, a retired Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art Associate Curator of  Education and active community volunteer, these boxes represent the heart of Manhattan. While also contributing to the Flint Hills Bread Basket, Katherine adopted a specific box near the ATA bus station. Emphasizing that while Manhattan may appear stable, the need for consistent food access is present. 

The program is overseen by Nourish Together, an organization dedicated to "feeding neighbors." Vickie James, a leader with the program under the branch of  Food & Farm Council for Riley County and the City of Manhattan, notes that while each of the 29 boxes has an official sponsor, the task of keeping them stocked is a responsibility for the whole community.  

The message from both volunteers and organizers is clear, these boxes are an emergency safety net for those in need. By stocking a box, Manhattan residents aren't just giving away food; they are providing a sense of security to their neighbors. 

To find a map of all 29 blessing boxes in Riley County or to learn how to sponsor a box, visit the Nourish Together website or Social Media pages.