People in need of free food and toiletries or even a book to read are invited to visit the sharing box that was recently installed at the Birdsboro campus of Moving Communities to Christ (MCC) Church.

The box is currently filled with basic dry and canned goods, including cereal, peanut butter and jelly, canned vegetables and soup, as well as health and beauty aids and books for people of all ages. Once a refrigeration unit is installed, people will also have a choice of frozen food and farm-fresh chicken eggs.

"It is open 24/7, and you can come whenever you want," said Lynnette Hess, MCC Birdsboro campus director, noting that the plywood shed was built by church members. "We all came together and loaded it up (with food and books)."

The structure has been dubbed the MCC Give and Take Community Resource Box because it contains items other than food and because community members are also invited to donate food and books.

Additionally, if the box is not stocked or specific items are needed, visitors can write down what they need on a poster located inside the pantry door. "There is a sign-up sheet so that if people need something specific like socks, diapers, milk or cotton swabs, they can just let us know," said Hess, adding that her phone number is provided on the sheet as well as that of Anna Kirleis, pantry coordinator.

Hess said that the idea to have a free sharing box was in response to Facebook posts, where local people often share their needs. "Someone posted, 'I just need some groceries until Thursday,' and people within the community started responding (with offers of food)," noted Hess. "The community really supports the community here in Birdsboro. We are a community of generosity. It's phenomenal. We wanted to be part of that and be part of that support."

She said that while there are other local food sharing boxes, the MCC box will provide additional help to people in need. "We recognized a need of more than just the locations that are out now," Hess noted. "We have (the food), and we want to share it."

Future plans call for the box to be painted neon green, so it is highly visible. Church members will also create a banner that will be attached to the side of the box so that people can see it from the road.

Hess added that providing food to the community is part of the church's outreach. "Everything we do focuses around food. On June 1 we are having a pig roast from 4 to 6 p.m.," she said, noting that Kona Ice will also be offered. "This is a free event for the community."

The public is also welcome to attend Sunday services at MCC Birdsboro, which are held at 4:30 p.m. A fellowship meal is offered at the church on the first Sunday of the month.

The MCC campus is located at 144 S. Walnut St., Birdsboro. The food box can be found in the church's back parking lot. For more information about church activities, visit http://www.facebook.com/MCtoChrist or http://www.wearethatchurch.org.