Hopkinton Boy Scout Builds Blessing Box For Eagle Scout Project

HOPKINTON, MA — Adam Distasio decided to help those in need by building a blessing box for his Eagle Scout project.

On Sunday, he completed his project, so now the little food pantry sits in the back of St. John’s parking lot, located at 20 Church St., for the community, according to his mother, Jen Distasio.

Distasio, 16, joined cub scouts in first grade and crossed over to Boyscouts in sixth grade.

Now a junior at Hopkinton High School, Distasio said, "I did community service at Project Just Because and I’ve seen how in need our community is."

Project Just Because, located on South Street, helps families by supplying basic necessities including clothing, food and school supplies.

"Since the pandemic hit I know a lot of people lost their jobs and have been going through a hard time," Adam said.

He said he started planning his food pantry in March, and saw the fruits of his labors fulfilled this week, with help from his father, Steve Distasio, who is an Assistant Scout Master, and Ted Hoyt, who is also an Assistant Scout Master.

"Jack and Ryan Hoyt [Scouts in Troop 4] helped build the majority of the box with me," Adam said. "Troop 4 helped level out the area, spread rock, build a platform, install footings and install the blessing box as well as filling it with non perishable items."

"Market Basket donated $100 worth of gift cards, and I collected $170 worth of bottle and can money," he said.

Adam said he asked Cherylann Walsh, president of the Board of Directors for Project Just Because, to provide him with a list of items that are most often needed before he went shopping to stock the blessing box.

Various businesses contributed to Adam's project, along with Market Basket, including: Coady Built donated the lumber, Home Depot donated lots of supplies to build the box, McIntire Loam donated all of the stone, Hopkinton Lumber donated screws, hinges and handles, and T&M Landscaping donated shingles, according to Adam.

Jen Distasio also wished to thank Rev. Richard E. Cannon, Pastor of St. John The Evangelist Parish Church, for supporting Adam's project.

"I just installed the box two days ago and already quite a few items have been taken and the donation box is half full," he said yesterday.

Project Just Because will be keeping the box organized and checking for expired items moving forward, said Jen Distasio.

"His father and I are extremely proud of all the hard work he has put into his project," she said. "We hope the community gets a lot of use out of it."

Adam Distasio will be recognized by the Board of Selectmen after he becomes an Eagle Scout, which he anticipates will be in the next two months.