By ClayCoNews with editorial assistance from Grok, created by xAI
CLAY COUNTY, KY – Mysterious white boxes on poles have been popping up in rural areas of Clay County, and one of them is now making waves online, with a YouTube Short racking up over 1,000 views in a single day.
These sharing boxes, spotted near businesses and other locations, are designed for residents to give away items they no longer need—like books, canned goods, or household goods—for others to take and use, fostering a spirit of community generosity.
The boxes, which resemble small cabinets with transparent doors, have been seen in multiple spots across Clay County. A recent YouTube Short, posted by ClayCoNews, features one such box near a local business in a rural area, marked with two "Jesus Loves You" stickers on its panes. In the 43-second clip, a Clay County woman explains its purpose: “This is a sharing box—people can put stuff they don’t need in here, like food or books, and others can take what they need. It’s a way to help each other out.” She demonstrates by holding up a bag of canned goods, though she doesn’t place it inside, and adds, “I’ve seen a few of these around the county—it’s a great idea!” The video, which has garnered over 1,000 views on April 11, 2025, has sparked curiosity and admiration from viewers both locally and beyond.
This particular box is the second one ClayCoNews has spotted near a business in rural Clay County, suggesting there may be more in other areas of the county and possibly in surrounding Southeast Kentucky counties. The "Jesus Loves You" stickers hint at a charitable or religious motivation behind the initiative, though the boxes’ origins remain a mystery. Research suggests they may be inspired by the Little Free Library movement, a global initiative where small, publicly accessible boxes are used to exchange books. However, their design lends itself to broader uses, such as donating canned goods or toiletries, making them a potential resource for those in need in Clay County, especially during challenging times.
Locals may not yet be fully aware of the boxes’ intended use, but their growing visibility—both in person and online—suggests they’re becoming a community talking point. Residents are encouraged to look for sharing boxes in their area, contribute items they no longer need, or take what they can use. The initiative has the potential to bring the community closer together through small acts of kindness, and could even expand to address needs like food insecurity if used for donations of canned goods.
For a closer look, watch the viral YouTube Short featuring the sharing box and a local resident explaining its purpose, available on the ClayCoNews YouTube channel here. Have you seen a sharing box in Clay County or nearby counties? Share your sightings or ideas for how to use them in the comments!
