It sounded like a fraternity house prank, to TP the Mission, but it was no joke, it was a way to witness.
The Northlands Rescue Mission in Grand Forks, North Dakota, is a local Christian organization that provides emergency shelter to men and women. Last year, they provided almost 15,000 nights of shelter to 474 clients who needed a place to sleep.
In past years, Grand Forks Church members have gathered outgrown or unwanted winter clothing and brought bundles of coats to the Mission for clients to help them through the winter. Ongoing needs are for personal hygiene items, warm winter clothing, food, and always for toilet paper.
That’s where the Grand Forks Church decided they could be of assistance.
The Community Services Committee met to plan the 2020 year and decided to make this service project their first of the year. A collection box was set up in the church fellowship hall in February, and though it was large, it was emptied and refilled a couple of times. In the beginning of March, all packs of toilet tissue were delivered by committee members to the Mission.
Right about this time, the COVID-19 pandemic started to take effect throughout the United States, and one of the first impacts of the crisis was a shortage of toilet paper. Church members had already purchased their donations by the time the shelves started emptying, though. Through the church family’s generosity, and a bit of divine scheduling, a large donation was given to the Northlands Rescue Mission at exactly the time toilet paper was unable to be purchased elsewhere.
Grand Forks head elder Troy Erickson remarked, “It is providential how in this time of a toilet paper shortage, we were able to show our compassion to them with this donation.”
Jennifer Erickson is communication director for the Grand Forks Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
