Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Mandy Wolfe, a teacher at Tryon Elementary, and her daughter, Mia, a senior at Polk County High School, are on a mission to make a positive impact on their community.

Driven by a shared desire to help others and promote volunteerism, the mother-daughter duo recently launched Polk Serves, a nonprofit organization aimed at supporting neighbors in need.

This summer, the Wolfe family built and placed a “blessing box” near Stearns Park in Columbus, stocked with nonperishable food items for individuals and families facing food insecurity. The boxes, which have become increasingly popular across the country, serve as a grassroots effort to combat hunger by providing food to those who may not have access to it.

The blessing box is available to anyone in need, and it operates on the principle of “take what you need, leave what you can.” Since its installation, several individuals and local organizations have stepped up to offer their support, volunteering to ensure the box remains stocked and organized.

Mandy Wolfe expressed immense gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community. “I’m incredibly thankful for this tight-knit community and how individuals support one another.”