An initiative begun by the youth at Grace Mennonite Church has congregants both laughing and giving generously.

Inspired by the story of the Good Samaritan, the young people challenged their church to collect toilet paper for Steinbach Community Outreach by the end of the month. Associate Pastor Kyle Penner says the small fundraiser recalls the bizarre shortage of bathroom tissue that heralded the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020.

To publicize their efforts, Penner says the youth group wrote and produced a video advertisement that played in front of their church earlier this month. The stated goal was to gather a total of 2021 rolls within the span of one month. Penner says his church was glad to help out and found humour in reflecting on the events of the past year. Already, he notes, they have reached over half of their goal.