Northern Lehigh community members now have three extra outlets to make life a little easier for those less fortunate.

Three blessing boxes, also known as little libraries, have recently been installed in the Slatington community.

The blessing boxes are the work of Diego Fenstermaker, who recently completed his Eagle Scout project as a member of Troop 62 in Berlinsville.

A senior at Northern Lehigh High School, Diego installed the blessing boxes at Bechtel’s Pharmacy and the Slatington Springside Fish Hatchery, both along Main Street, as well as one at the Vigilant Fire Company on S. Walnut Street.

“It’s a box that I made to withstand outside conditions for people to place nonperishable food items for people who need it,” Diego said.

Diego said he was looking for a project, and was aware of Caring Hearts in Slatington, which along with the college and job fair he attended last year at the high school are what gave him the idea.

Planning for the project began around mid-June, said Diego, who added that it took him until the last weekend of October to get the boxes placed.

“I started fundraising for the project so I could buy the materials and supplies needed,” he said. “The boxes are made out of wood, the bases (are) made out of metal, (used) shingles for the roof, (and) used plexiglass for the window and door.”

Diego said he was pleased with the outcome, and credited both his parents, as well as the internet, for finding everything necessary for the project.

“The boxes turned out a lot better than I thought they would because I didn’t actually have much of a knowledge in woodworking,” he said. “I’m actually proud of how they turned out; I think they’re nicely done.”

Diego explained why he believes the project is important.

“In Eagle Scout standards, it’s to test my leadership abilities, (because I) had to reach out to a bunch of organizations; also having to plan everything out,” he said. “I think the most important part of this project is the community impact I hope it will have, and the fact that it allows the ability to give back to the community.”

Diego described how the blessing boxes work.

“People who have nonperishable food items they can give, they just simply have to walk up to the box and just place them inside the box,” he said. “And the people who need the food can just walk up and grab the food from the boxes.”

Diego thanked Denise “Neice Eie” Martinez, Caring Hearts founder and CEO, who helped him with the project; Eric Heiney, president, Rotary Club of Slatington, and his Scoutmasters.

Diego said he started Scouting with Cub Pack 66 in Slatington. He later joined Troop 62 in Berlinsville.

“I joined Scouting because of the assemblies they had at the local school district; you got to learn outdoor skills, starting fires and first aid,” he said. “They (Troop 62) looked at Scouting the same way I did, (as) a place where people can get together to learn outdoor skills, first aid skills, woodworking skills, to learn leadership and how to teach others and guide others, and just overall be a good person.”