Located in Downtown Winston-Salem, the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission ministers to the physical and spiritual needs of homeless and broken men. These men not only receive help with physical needs like food, shelter, and counseling; but are introduced to the true forgiveness and redemption found in Jesus. Many of these individuals go on to find restoration with their estranged families, employment, freedom from addictive lifestyles, and an abundant life found only in a relationship with Jesus.

On Saturday, February 4th, Thrive Middle School students and student ministry staff met downtown to serve in the Rescue Mission’s Thrift Store. The Thrift Store sells donated furniture, books, and clothing, of which the proceeds go to support the operational needs of the ministry at the Mission. Twenty of our students spent several hours working to clean the retail shelving, front storefront, and items on the sales floor. Because the Resuce Mission is a not for profit ministry, the small staff at the store are already stretched in their responsibilities to maintain daily sales and inventory operations. Cleaning shelving on the salesfloor and presentation in a warehouse setting can be difficult to maintain in the middle of everything else. This is where our group was able to jump in with some rags and cleaner and help address a real need. The students worked tirelessly, without complaint, to clean and organize the shelves and inventory with the desire to see more sales to support the ministry there. We had a fun time working together, and based on conversations I’ve had with employees at the Rescue Mission, we really had a huge impact on the staff and the overall appearance of the store.

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