What is Box City?

Box City is a social justice learning experience designed for youth in grades 6–12. The event combines education, empathy-building, and community action by simulating aspects of homelessness and food insecurity. 

Participants engage in lessons and discussions that highlight real-world challenges faced by unhoused individuals, reflect on the social and economic factors contributing to poverty, and learn how they can make a difference through advocacy and service.

Jesus teaches us to love our neighbor. By spending the night outdoors (weather permitting) and raising funds for a local shelter, youth gain a deeper understanding of compassion and community responsibility.

We offer a 3-year rotation of focus topics: Systemic/Community Homelessness, Food Insecurity and Youth in Crisis. This year we'll learn more about Food Insecurity and ways to share what we have with others.

Box City began in 2009 at St James Limerick and was hosted there for 11 years. Post-Covid, we turned it into a moving event, inviting our neighboring churches an opportunity to host the event. Prior hosts include St James Limerick, Advent Lutheran Harleysville and New Hanover Lutheran in Gilbertsville. This year will be hosted at Christ Lutheran in Harleysville. Hosting churches are able to pick the charity that will benefit from our fundraising.