ROCHELLE — The Flagg-Rochelle Park District Board approved a trial agreement Monday allowing Gretchen’s Gift Boxes to be placed in local parks to help residents in need. Rochelle resident Jenny Beck started the project in memory of her sister in law, Gretchen Mack, who died in June. Beck repurposes old newspaper vending machines by painting them and filling them with donated nonperishable food, personal hygiene products and other necessities. The first box was placed at the Flagg Rochelle Public Library on Sept. 2, Gretchen’s birthday, and additional boxes are located at The Fit Hub and the Rochelle Moose Lodge. Connelly Park and Memorial Park are potential locations for the expanded program. Donations include toothbrushes, toothpaste, travel size shampoo, body wipes, tuna packets, snacks, children’s toys and seasonal items such as hats, gloves and socks.
Community members are encouraged to donate supplies or take what they need. Beck said the project reflects the kind of person Gretchen was. “Gretchen was the type of person who would help anybody that she could, if you needed to move, she was the first one there. You know, whatever you needed, she was that type of person,” Beck said.
The newspaper vending machines were donated, and Beck said she has several more in her driveway that she is preparing for future use. Updates about the project and donation information are available on the Gretchen’s Gift Boxes Facebook page.
