Grants Pass Says Goodbye to a Staple for Those in Poverty
A local staple for many families struggling with poverty has been dealt a crushing blow that can be felt throughout the community. The Blessing Box, originally established by Lori Allen, will be closing on June 15th. More troubling than the closing of this charitable feat, is Lori, her family, and at least eight other families in her neighborhood will soon be losing their homes within the next thirty to sixty days.
In mid-May Lori announced on the Blessing Box’s Facebook page that they will be closing the box down as they have been given notice that their homes will be bull dozed by the end of Summer. Previously the discussion of demolition and eviction was said to be just rumors, but that all changed a few weeks ago when the land lord paid a visit to Lori’s home.
A recently donated sign will soon be removed as of June 15th, 2018, as The Blessing Box will be closed down. (Summer Mincks)
After twenty-three years living in the same home, Lori and her family are struggling to find the next step in their lives. Their small home was already at a cost they were having trouble affording, but with the average home renting for upwards of twice their current rent Lori’s family is left with few options. Lori has raised her children, and grandchildren in the same home and started her outreach charity, The Blessing Box, just last year, on the outside of their home. Her biggest heart break stems not just from losing her long-time family home, but for those in the community that will be impacted.
Zepherica Ann, a Facebook user in The Blessing Box’s group use, has voiced her concerns over the closing and how it will affect families in the area.
“I live right by her and watched the blessing box grow from the start.” Zepherica states, “I've seen so many lives helped by her and what she does.”
In particular she remembers seeing the gifts the box had given during our cold and rainy winter season.
“During the winter there was always a warm meal out, which seemed to always be gone every morning. She's done an amazing, selfless service to this community.”
Since announcing the closure, many families have come forward and expressed their sadness and fear as The Blessing Box aided them through times of struggle, especially to provide warm meals in the winter months.
Food staples such as oats, rice and beans, will no longer be available for families in need at The Blessing Box after the closure. (Summer Mincks)
The affordable housing shortage has only become more tragic as families across Josephine county struggle to find even basic accommodations at reasonable rates. Reviewing the local Facebook pages for Grants Pass, people looking for homes are often greeted with negativity due to the horrific housing shortage in our area. According to Rent Jungle, the current average cost for a single bedroom apartment has increased by 13.24% just since last year. The average family can be expected to pay well above that for anything the size of a two bedroom or larger.
With the average household income in Grants Pass alone being under thirty-thousand dollars annually, many families have resulted to living in travel trailers and motorhomes in order to sustain a shelter.
Along with cleaning our her own home, the shelves of The Blessing Box are being cleaned out and emptied as well in preparation for the closing. (Summer Mincks)
Like Lori, many of the families that will be losing their homes due to the eviction involve children under the age of twelve. Poverty and homelessness seems to be on a steady increase in recent years, and though many jobs are being listed they are often part time positions, or minimum wage. These average incomes cannot keep up with the rising cost of living in the area.
Jenny Cardenas, a local in the area, mentioned her own thoughts regarding the difficult housing in the area, and her family is also considering leaving completely, despite their love for the area.
“The rental market here is atrocious,” Jenny says. “We love Oregon but are considering moving back to Arizona, so we can afford a decent rental.”
Phyllis Laflamme, a longtime local resident of the area has similar feelings in her disappointment in the housing market.
“The housing market has been cruel. I have lived here most of my life and had never seen the shortage of affordable housing like the last couple years,” Phyllis states when referring to the troubling times in the housing industry of the area.
Once full shelves are being emptied out quickly in order to be ready for the closure in the middle of this month. (Summer Mincks)
Lori and her family are currently at a complete loss for where to go next. They will be hosting a large-scale yard sale within this month, in hopes of gaining enough money to set them up within a new home. Currently they are either selling or donating anything that cannot be put within a ten-foot by ten-foot storage unit. They have also started a Go Fund Me page for those looking to help. The family had previously hoped to be approved for a small home loan but were denied.
Despite the stress and heart break Lori’s family is trying to remain strong and Lori states she is using this as a teaching moment from God. Though shrouded in a dark cloud of uncertainty, the family has chosen to move forward in the process. Though admittedly fearful and in Lori’s words, “panicked,” the family is focusing on any current blessing they may have, no matter how small.
Along with notices on the public Facebook page, signs have been posted on location to make the community aware of the closing. (Summer Mincks)
For now, the future of the Blessing Box is uncertain, but Lori has hopes that no matter where they are taken on this path, they will be able to open the doors to the outreach once again.
“We will still take meals out as we can, like on nights we have extra,” she says, “but for right now we just have to focus on us.”
Lori says that her passion is helping others. As soon as she is able, without a doubt, she will be back at her greatest talent, providing hope to hearts of others.
