Twin Cities Woman's 'Blessing Boxes' Help Those In Need

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Twin Cities woman is serving her community one home cooked meal at a time.

Bethany Nelson works with impoverished and working poor families. She sees the impact food security can bring to those in need. She's spent the last few years, not only feeding from her own kitchen, but also innovating new ways to help the community.

A made-from-scratch meal is not the fastest way to get food on the table but Nelson wouldn't have it any other way.

"I think it just shows a little bit more love, I think you put your heart into it and someone realizes that you made a real effort," said Bethany Nelson who cooks for families in need.

Every Saturday, she's in the kitchen preparing a meal for an ever growing guest list. The menu on this particular weekend is homemade spaghetti and fajitas.

"I try to do something for everybody, spicy and sweet," Nelson said.

"She does not know how to cook small," Nelson's fiancé Brian Leiser said.

This weekly tradition started four years ago when Nelson and Leiser began cooking for their cash strapped classmates.

"I like the idea of just nourishing people, just, it's a simple way to connect with people over food and everyone eats," Nelson said.

Over time, her dining group grew to her addiction counseling club and then to others who might need a meal. Each week, she brings food to families in her building who could use the help.

Serving became a way of life, feeding Nelson's need to do more. Last year, she organized an adopt-a-family program. She had eight recipients. This year that number grew to 104 people and her generosity inspires others to give. So far, she's found sponsors for 94 of the 104 families.

"It makes me excited to think of all the kids who are going to have something to open on Christmas morning," Nelson said.

Liz Cooper was one of the adopt-a-family recipients. She went to Nelson's home for dinner and left with much more than a full stomach. Her sponsor purchased a grocery gift card, toys, clothing and blankets.

"I'm really happy and grateful, I'm really, really grateful," Cooper said.

There is also an appreciation Nelson will never see. Her reach now extends beyond the kitchen.

"People just come take food if they need it," Nelson said. "I had seen a picture of somebody down south who had done this and I thought, that's something that our community could really benefit from."

This summer she installed four blessings boxes, a free food pantry built on the concept of the Little Free Library.

"You can take some and leave some if you can give. Sometimes, we'll see stuff in there that we didn't put in there which is kind of cool," Leiser said.

Every week, Nelson and Leiser fill the boxes. Every week that never-ending need is incentive to keep going.

"Food shelves, nowadays, can be difficult to get to, especially if you're working. Sometimes they have limited hours," Nelson said.

"I was homeless for four years, so I know all the soup kitchens and I know it's hard and stuff," Leiser said.

Nelson may not be able to personally serve the meals taken from the blessings boxes but she still gets fulfillment knowing someone is getting a good meal.

"I hope it's going to good places and they're finding good uses for what they find in the box," Nelson said.

Nelson is raising funds to install 15 other blessings boxes around the Twin Cities. If you'd like to help or sponsor an adopt-a-family, go to their GoFundMe page.