Miranda H. Lewis
Carter County Times
In a small corner of Olive Hill, nestled between the city park and the utilities building, a simple wooden box stands tall with a powerful message: Take what you need, leave what you don’t. It’s called Faith’s Blessings, and it was built with heart, vision, and a deep desire to help by 17-year-old Alivia Wagoner, who will soon begin her senior year at West Carter High School.
Alivia’s passion project was born out of a long-held concern for the well-being of those in her community struggling with food insecurity.
“Growing up I never personally struggled with knowing where my next meal would come from, but I knew many people who did,” Alivia said. “Food bonds people, forms childhood memories, and reminds us of home. So, when I saw others struggle with access to food, it broke my heart. That concern drove me to look for a way to help, and I created Faith’s Blessings.”
The pantry’s location is no accident. Placed thoughtfully within a five-minute walk from a low-income housing community, it’s accessible to those who need it most. Its name carries a personal significance, too.
“I chose the name Faith’s Blessings from a mix of my own middle name, ‘Faith,’ and the intention of the project—to bless those in need,” Alivia shared.
The design and construction of the pantry was a family and community effort. Alivia credits her father, Jason Wagoner, with helping bring her vision to life.
“During the design and building process I had help from my dad, who guided me through the construction of the blessing box,” she said. “I also had help during the installation from David Skinner and Craig Utley.”
The project was funded through a combination of anonymous donations, a GoFundMe campaign, and building materials provided by generous local donors. With community backing from the start, it’s no surprise that the pantry has already begun to thrive.
“The community has been very responsive to the pantry—from those donating food to those in need using the pantry,” said Alivia. “It’s maintained by me and stocked with help from charitable donations from community members. Non-perishables are preferred, but fresh foods are also appreciated.”
The pantry operates on a simple yet powerful principle: take what you need, leave what you don’t. This exchange of generosity and dignity is exactly what Alivia hoped to inspire.
“The most rewarding moment for me was checking the pantry a few days after it was implemented and seeing new foods that had been placed inside, and others that had been there a few days before were gone,” she recalled. “To know that someone had taken and someone else had given warmed my heart. To see the cycle of kindness I hoped to start flourish in real time was such a rewarding moment.”
Faith’s Blessings is more than a food pantry. It’s a symbol of what one person can do when led by compassion and purpose. For Alivia, it’s also a way to encourage others to take action, no matter how small it may seem.
“I hope that this project encourages someone else to be the change that they want to see. Though it may feel small, those small changes add up to make a big difference.”
To Alivia, kindness is more than just a word, it’s a lifestyle.
“Kindness to me is thinking of others, lending a helping hand, and showing love to others,” she said. “Faith’s Blessings is the epitome of kindness to me—acknowledging the needs of those struggling and doing what we can to help them.”
Seeing the pantry being used and supported by her neighbors has been an affirming experience.
“When I see people in my community using or contributing to the pantry, it makes me proud to be from such a loving, kind community,” she said. “It also gives me hope that people are still kind in a world that often forgets about others.”
Looking ahead, Alivia plans to continue her journey of helping others through a career in healthcare.
“I plan to go to Morehead State, majoring in biology, and then pursuing further education in a career in medicine,” she said.
Alivia’s pantry may be small in size, but its impact is immeasurable. Faith’s Blessings stands as a beacon of generosity, a symbol of hope, and a reminder that true change begins with compassion—and the courage to act on it.
Contact the writer at miranda@cartercountytimes.com
