The Speed Family Blessing Box & Pantry Inc.

Penn Hills family creates blessing box to supply food, items for those in need

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Chelsey Speed wants her children to learn the value of helping others and how to appreciate what they have.

 

The Penn Hills family participates in at least one community service effort each year, from organizing a Christmas toy drive to volunteering at a local Salvation Army.

 

“I want to make sure that I’m able to train the kids up the right way to understand what people go through, and let them know it’s OK to struggle, and to help someone you’ve never met before,” Speed said. “You should do it. It is the right thing to do, and more now than ever. The world is not what it used to be.”

 

This year, the Speeds created a “blessing box” so those in need of food and other items can get them for free outside their home at 105 Richmore Drive in Penn Hills.

 

The box is about 3 feet wide and 2 feet deep. It was made by carpenter Bill Dolcich and sits a few feet off the ground on treated wood so people can use the box without having to get out of their car.

 

The family installed it on Aug. 19 and created a Facebook page to help support the effort.

 

Speed’s daughter, Malayah Wilson, painted the box. The Penn Hills High School senior said they have received many donations and many families use the box.

 

“There is definitely a lot more people in need that you may not be able to see,” said Malayah, 17. “It is also a really good feeling to be able to help somebody else. It has brought a lot of people together in a really hard time.”

 

Malayah is the oldest of the Speeds’ four children.

 

The idea was formed while the Speeds were assisting some families nearby who were struggling due to the covid-19 pandemic and business closures.

 

“The kids got really involved, and it gave us a minute to not be so focused on the pandemic and what was going on around us with all the kids being at home and me working from home,” Chelsey Speed said. “I’ve seen other blessing boxes in other countries, like over in the United Kingdom.”

 

Speed said helping people is very important to her because she grew up in Knoxville with very little, and understands it might take a little boost for some to get through hard times.

 

“I know what it’s like to struggle and to figure out if I want to pay the light bill or feed my kid,” Speed said.

 

During a recent visit, the box was packed with canned goods, baby food, cereal, fruit snacks, coupons for Similac and even paperback children’s books.

 

Penn Hills resident Beth Strauss is one of many who has donated to the cause.

 

“I think it is a wonderful service to the community,” Strauss said. “It’s a very generous gesture on their part to make that box and go out and search for donations. Chelsey does a really great job on social media. She has families in need and knows exactly what their needs are. And our wonderful community of Penn Hills helps stock that box for the families.

 

“It’s really difficult times right now, and whatever we can do to help those in need, I’m all for it. I encourage the community to get involved and help out their fellow neighbors.”

 

Speed said she hopes the family can make more blessing boxes, possibly start a nonprofit to help more families and find a refrigerator for items.

 

The most requested product since the box was opened has been milk.

 

There is a donation box right outside the Speeds’ front door. People can also Venmo money via a link found on the box’s Facebook page.

 

More information is available via email at cspeed27@icloud.com.

 

Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@triblive.com or via Twitter .