News Good ... in a
Box
B Y C A R O LY N D R I N K A R D
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f you happen to be in a Dollar General store anywhere near Gallion, Alabama, don’t be surprised if you bump into two smiling women pushing three or four buggies, overflowing with goodies. The ladies are Paula Whitcomb and Karen Lindsey, and in a single day, they can hit a “loop” of 10 different dollar stores, all within a 150-mile radius. They know when these stores have their best bargains and when specific items are reduced. For example, on Nov. 11, Paula and Karen are on the road early because this is the day that Dollar General has the “buy one, get one free” sale for Hot Wheels! “Once, we bought so many Hot Wheels that our receipt wrapped around my car,” Paula laughed. “The manager took a picture and put it on the store’s website!” Now why are these two visiting so many dollar stores? Well, Paula Whitcomb and Karen Lindsey are “shoppers” for an amazing ministry unlike any other in this area. They are part of the Shoebox Ministry at Providence Baptist Church in Gallion, Alabama, and both are passionate about the “good news” they must share! In return, they are blessed to witness some incredible acts of compassion and kindness. “When I am standing in line in the stores,” Paula explained, “people ask what I’m doing, and when I tell them, they hand me money. Once, Mom and I were at Walmart in Gulfport, Mississippi, with two baskets filled with gloves. A lady paid for all of the stuff in those baskets!” The Shoebox Ministry started years ago, when June Humble and Ann Whitcomb, Paula’s mother, decided to make shoeboxes for needy children. The first year, they sought help from the Providence Baptist Women’s Missionary Union to make six boxes. After 38
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that, June Humble shopped year-round for this ministry and stored her goods inside her carport. When Ann’s husband, Paul, built a 12x36 shed for his shop, he agreed to let the ladies use the front part for their shoebox finds. Unfortunately, Paul Whitcomb never got to use his shop, because June and Ann quickly filled it up with their treasures! Their stash of gifts outgrew that first shed, so Paul built them another one. His friends, Rusty and Phillip Godwin, built shelves inside and added a porch to join the two buildings.
Paula Whitcomb (l) and Karen Lindsey (r) shop at Dirt Cheap and dollar stores that run sales. These buggies are filled to capacity as the shoppers find good bargains and buy all they can get for their Shoebox ministry
