‘A Big Family’

The community blessing box that has been located outside Alvin Ord’s Sandwich Shop has moved to 3-W’s Smoke Shack, 150 Eastwood Road, where it will continue providing food to residents in need.

Toby Wojcik, co-owner of 3-W’s Smoke Shack, said Alvin Ord’s owner Mistie Rivera reached out when the box needed a new home.

“We’re actually really good friends,” Wojcik said. “She reached out to us and we said we’d be more than happy to take it in.”

Wojcik emphasized the dedication Rivera had on keeping the blessing box stocked.

“She would make a post and say, ‘Hey, the blessing box needs some attention,’” she said. “I know she herself would purchase food to put in there. She was always so great about that.”

Wojcik said the boxes that stand throughout Springtown, Reno and Azle hold a special meaning for her. Her longtime friend D’Ann Aydelotte and her husband, Michael, started the blessing box project through their welding company with help from Servolution Network.

“They built the blessing boxes,” she said. “They have been really close to my heart — they can help and provide food to people who need it.”

Wojcik has also spent years helping deliver food to boxes throughout the area. She said the Sunset Church of Springtown receives donated food and distributes it to families and blessing boxes across the county.

“They get truckloads of food and they separate it out,” Wojcik said. “I’ve been delivering food to blessing boxes for a while so to have it on our property, it’s going to help so many people.”

She credited members of the Unspoken Souls motorcycle club with helping to move the box.

“We had Chris and Montana, who are from Unspoken Souls, move the box. We ride for abused children and kids in need. Everything has been done as a big family,” she said.

Wojcik said she has seen residents use the blessing boxes and has also watched community members stop to leave food for others.

“It’s really cool to see that people take what they need and leave what they don’t,” she said. “I have seen so many people from the community come and put food in as well. It is amazing to watch.”