How to Build a Community Blessing & Donations Box

Give back to your community by building a Blessing Box--or a community donation/share box.
You’ve probably seen these donation boxes pop up a lot recently in local communities. Sometimes they’re called “little libraries” where people can share and trade books, sometimes they’re used as a food pantry for those in need.
There are lots of ways to use them to give back to a community, but a friend of mine is using this one as a “blessing box” for new moms-stocking it full of diapers, baby food, formula and other newborn and baby supplies.
As an ultrasound tech and new business owner (you can find her here: www.hellobabyk... ) catering to new and soon to be mothers, this was something she could post up beside her studio allowing the community to help keep it stocked and place items inside.
New moms can come and take what they need and hopefully pay it forward in helping to restock it later.
Obviously, you can get super creative as to how you want to use this project in your own community, but as always, I’m just here to show you how to put it together. After that, its purpose is up to you.
Check out the plans for this project linked here:
www.woodshopdi...

[@hillsboroughguy]

You did an excellent job thanks for the video!

[@rakeshwadhwani2231]

Thanks for this and all the other videos. My son is in Boy Scouts and thanks to this video of yours, he could successfully build two blessing boxes for his eagle project. We donated them to the city shelters here in Fremont, CA. One is being used as a library and the other one for food donations. Thanks again for all of your videos.

[@cathy_4506]

Love this ! Will be attempting to make this week! We already have a neighborhood plant stand and now a free little library 📖 📕 Thank u so much for this video:)

[@jfred1924]

Your a special person with a big heart, Great build for a good cause.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! 💕

[@kennymysak2079]

Another great build as well as a great idea. Keep up the great videos

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much for watching! 💕

[@TradeSkillersAnonymous]

Hey there, just thought I'd mention that I'll be meeting with a girl scout troop this afternoon who were inspired by your build. Troop mom contacted me for help with the woodworking parts, but just thought you might like to know that your efforts are reaching people. Keep up the good work

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I love this. Thank you so much for sharing this with me! Bless you for helping them with this. I'm sure they appreciate it and it will be a help to many in their community!

[@chrismoore9997]

For the roof, if you do this again, you could get cedar fence boards instead and cut an edge profile by running them through your table saw vertically. I did that to make roof boards for a shed and it was pretty easy and cheap.

[@brotherbill913]

Looks great!!!!! I'm actually making one to put out in my front yard right now.......

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Awesome! I’m sure that will help so many people!

[@TheMoonlightCraftsman]

You are a busy person Shara. Once again a cute and simple design.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

No rest for the weary 😂 I try to stay busy building my business. Thanks so much for checking out my video!

[@DMAG-3200]

Hi Shara, very cool build. Your friend must have loved it. I always chuckle when you talk to yourself. Not judging I do it all the time. And I'll admit yes I also answer myself. Great video. Always look forward to them.👀👍👍👍

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Haha working alone is weird. Talk to yourself or the dog...options are slim 😂😂

[@FranksDIY]

Nice job and that is a wonderful idea. And looks like your a wonderful person helping out the community.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! It was my friends idea, I was just happy to play a part by building it. 💕

[@Morgan-th9dj]

I've been looking for a diy version or reasonably priced box for months! I will definately be making one. thank you

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stefanitadio6236]

Love the concept - and this one is beautiful too!

[@Jones572]

“It is what it is”, but it’s very well done ✅. I know I’m late to the party but I’m glad I’m here. Very enjoyable watching you work.👍🏾

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! I appreciate you watching!

[@Kkuts37]

GREAT!!!! I am sure it will get much use! Awesome idea! :)

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!! It was my friends idea to put one here..,I was just grateful to play a part by building it 💕

[@WillysPerformanceCycleCtr]

Very, very nice project! This is a great idea for the community. As always, you did a great job with minimum material. I thoroughly enjoy your projects... 👍🏻

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much!! 😄

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome work Shara! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@samme5513]

Bless you keep up the good work I like the idea so much

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍 it was my friends idea...I was just happy to asked me to help out and make it. It will get much use! 💕

[@samme5513]

@@WoodshopDiaries definitely

[@joseluisdiaz3066]

Beautiful proyect,muy hermoso proyecto saludos desde Argentina

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!! 👍

[@marcussmith1885]

That is great you did a really good job!!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@bobby-c7731]

Nice job using the speed square for one of its intended purposes...a protractor!

[@johnkelley9877]

That is a neat idea and it looks great! Thanks for sharing this.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@Jkcreswell]

Absolutely love this! I would love to try and make one for my local community!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Awesome! I love to hear I’ve inspired someone else to make one of these for their own town 💕💕 happy building!

[@Bekim8310]

Well done 👍

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@Ray_Sellner]

You worry too much. LOL The end result was awesome.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@cesarsanchez-jb9wu]

Excelente trabajo, Maestra, muy bien por ti!!!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@-pero-]

You did a good deed :)

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I was happy to donate this to a good cause 💕💕

[@bunnyluvdesigns9476]

Shara... yep. Rock star.😉

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much friend! 😊

[@yvettewallus119]

I love it! We have a blessing boxes in our town for toiletries, food, and books but I don’t believe we have one for new mothers. This is a great idea and you’ve inspired me to create one for my community. Ill tag you on Instagram when I finish it. Thanks for sharing!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I can’t take credit for the idea...my friend thought of using it for that and asked if I’d build it. I thought it was genius! I was just glad to be able to donate the project to the cause 💕 I can’t wait to see yours!! Happy building!

[@MCsCreations]

Beautiful work, Shara! It really looks fantastic! And I liked the idea! 😃 BTW, I just saw that your circular saw is a Ryobi! I just bought one as well, it arrived here the other day! 😂 Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! I honestly love my Ryobi circular saw. A lot of people hate on the green tools, but I’d put it up against any of the other battery powered circ saws. I use it 90% of the time and only use my other one when I need a bevel and I don’t have to remove the Kreg sled from the Ryobi. Anyway, new rooms are always exciting! Happy building and have a great weekend! 😄

[@vickikgibson9470]

Nice little project! And very useful! What dowl jig did you use to do 2 holes at the same time? I have one, but I have to do one hole at a time...darn it! But I loved the one here...:) I wanted to do the door like yours with the dowels, but, it will take a lot more time to do it with my jig!LOL Anyway, lots of good tips here and sooo great to see another woman working in the woodshop!! yeah us!:) Very capable you are!:) Cheers!

[@charlielongoria1732]

Thank you great video

[@melindahaiden]

What size plexiglass did you use? I have searched everywhere cannot find the size of it. I am making this exact design and need to know what size, don't want to buy the wrong one or multiple ones to find out. :)

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Step seven here: www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-build-a-blessing-box-community-donation-box/ I built the door and had my local glass shop cut me a piece to fit. 1/8” or 1/4” thick would work fine

[@jeffframe641]

Great job! Your video has helped me through my project. 1 question. Why would you prefer to have turned your roof PCs the opposite direction? I'm about to install my roof 😊

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! I would have turned them the other way because I think it’ll probably do a better job of draining water. I’d bevel the ends at the top the same angle as the roof so they’d fit together tighter and then the water would run down the boards and off the roof.

[@jeffframe641]

Thank you for your reply. Keep the videos coming!

[@gracecastor8641]

About how much in material does it usually cost to make one?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Lumber prices vary greatly by location. I recommend checking the materials list in the blog post and comparing prices for them in your local area 👍

[@thisisfutile]

Not to mention, many lumber yards are used to giving estimates. You bring this list of materials to their counter and they'll give you an estimate in minutes. They do this all day long for contractors.

[@phaedruscj3330]

And I thought we were the only ones that owned a Kioti tractor.

[@chakireladraoui9331]

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

[@WoodshopDiaries]

😄😄

[@LoneWolf-qv8lx]

In our area it would be emptied out quickly by kids and others stealing, instead of it's purpose.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

That’s sad