Grunthal’s Pick and Pack Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Store opens for its 5th year on Tuesday.
Frieda Wiebe of the Grunthal Bergthal Church says, there was a time when she herself was packing so many shoeboxes for other people that she became known as the “Shoebox Lady”.
But Wiebe says it was becoming a lot of work.
“I mean, the Landmark store is fantastic, but that's not what I felt God was putting on my heart to do. So, I decided I would buy in bulk and let them come and fill their boxes themselves.”
Wiebe says they will have all kinds of items to choose from.
“And all you need to do is come pick and pack, and pay for your box. And the rest is all taken care of.”
She says the “Pick and Pack” OCC store takes over the church.
“So, we are actually starting the lobby, we go through the sanctuary and come back into the lobby. So, it's kind of one big circle. We used to do it just in the lobby, but we've outgrown that space. So, we kind of take over the church.”
Wiebe says their OCC Shoebox store is open to anyone, and no appointment is necessary.
They do ask for a donation of $30 per box and then you can fill it with as many items as fit in the box.
Wiebe describes the team of women and teenagers from the church.
“They are passionate about reaching out to the ends of the earth with these boxes and to share the gospel. And it's just really, really cool to see how they have developed and grown. And when anyone has a question about what Shoebox is about they'll give you the whole down lowdown. It's just fantastic to see.”
Wiebe adds that when you come to their “Pick and Pack store”, bring a photo of yourself and your family.
"It makes that gift very personal. I recently heard a story about a young girl who lived at an orphanage, who opened her box and said, “I don't have a sister, but I have a picture and now I have a sister because she cared enough to send me a box.” So adding that photo of yourself makes it really personal.”
Wiebe notes that their goal this year is to put together 650 shoeboxes.
The Grunthal Pick and Pay Shoebox store is open November 5 to 9 - Tuesday to Friday this week from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm and on Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
The Grunthal Bergthaler Church is located at 101 Southwood Street.