Bismarck, N.D. — As fall weather sets in and temperatures begin to drop across central North Dakota, a local healthcare worker is expanding efforts to provide warmth to Bismarck's most vulnerable residents. Kandy Swenning, a community health worker at CHI St. Alexius, has initiated the second year of her "blessing boxes" project, aimed at equipping people experiencing homelessness with crucial winter gear to prevent cold-related injuries and fatalities.
Swenning's initiative was prompted by direct observations within the community and at her workplace. She noted seeing people arrive at the emergency room with frostbite during the winter months. She also highlighted the severe consequences of North Dakota's cold, stating she observed "a few deaths around Bismarck Mandan over the last few years with our winters being so cold." As a native of North Dakota, Swenning has witnessed a growing and increasingly visible homeless population in the area over time, facing heightened risks as temperatures plummet.
Inspired by a colleague's similar project in Dickinson, Swenning brought the blessing box concept to Bismarck. These boxes are stocked with donated items such as hats, gloves, and other kinds of winter gear, providing immediate assistance to those in need. The boxes are strategically placed outside two key locations in the city: CHI St. Alexius Urgent Care on Main and Heavens Helpers Soup Cafe. These locations offer accessible points for individuals to retrieve essential items as winter approaches.
The project marks its second year, underscoring Swenning's sustained commitment beyond typical hospital drives or routine appointments. Her overarching goal is for these simple, accessible boxes to provide sufficient warmth, thereby helping to keep as many individuals as possible out of the emergency department due to exposure.
Looking ahead, Swenning hopes to expand the reach and scope of the blessing boxes. She expressed a desire for the seasonal boxes to continue into the summer months, providing suitable items to assist the homeless population year-round. Additionally, Swenning is actively seeking extra boxes to establish more distribution points across the city, aiming to increase accessibility for those in need.
Community members are encouraged to contribute to the initiative. New or gently used winter gear can be dropped off at three different locations across the city. Donations of hats, gloves, and other warm clothing are vital in supporting the project's mission to protect vulnerable residents as Bismarck prepares for the colder months ahead.
