Fallon’s first Karma Box was installed this week on Williams Avenue at the Fallon Chamber of Commerce office. Located at 448 W. Williams, the first box was filled with snacks, personal items, clothing and socks, and staff at the Chamber will maintain it on a regular basis.
The Karma Box Project was started in Reno several years ago by Grant Denton as a community initiative that allows people to give non-perishable food, first aid, and toiletries directly to those in need. Denton hosted a class at a youth camp two years ago that Kadee Zeller attended with her STOP students (Students Taking on Prevention) through the Churchill Coalition. They were introduced to the idea of the Karma Boxes and got to paint one that was later placed in Carson City.
“I asked Grant what it would take to get one of the boxes in Fallon,” said Zeller, “and he said, ‘build one.’” She was also very concerned about who would take care of the boxes and who would be responsible for checking on them and stocking them.
About the same time, Lucy Carnahan, executive director of the Fallon Chamber was in Reno one day where she saw one of the Karma Boxes and thought it would be a great project for Fallon. She called around to see if anyone else would be interested in doing Karma Boxes and happened on the Community Coalition and the partnership was born.
The idea is for local businesses to build and design Karma Boxes of their own, decorating them with a business theme or any creative design and provide the contents that can be used by anyone in need. Anyone can replace items in any of the boxes as well.
The community Youth Committee, chaired by Sheriff Richard Hickox has also been working on the idea, and Superintendent Summer Stephens would like there to be a Karma Box at each school campus. Additionally, Zeller said the Sheriff, Running Iron Café, and Telegraph Coffee have all expressed an interest in building their own Karma Boxes.
“Grant really wants people in recovery involved,” said Zeller, “and so we are also talking to Lana (Robards) about getting New Frontier involved.”
For anyone wishing to participate in the Karma Box project, either by contributing to the Karma Box at the Chamber or by installing their own Karma Box, both Zeller and Carnahan would be happy to help. Call the Chamber at 775-423-2544
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