On Tuesday, Oct. 25, Samford’s chapter of the International Justice Mission organized a pop-up thrift store, Threads, on Ben Brown Plaza. The event lasted from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and all proceeds went directly to the IJM.
The IJM is an organization that partners with justice systems around the world to fight against human trafficking. They rescue and restore victims, strengthen legal systems within communities, and bring traffickers to justice. Samford’s chapter assists the organization by fundraising, praying, and advocating for the end of human trafficking.
Vice President of the Samford IJM chapter, Allison Middendorf, recalled how she first became involved with the organization.
“I joined IJM the fall of my freshman year after being in a cadre about human trafficking,” Middendorf said. “When I first really began the understand the heartbreaking reality of human trafficking… it wasn’t something I could just push out of my mind, and I wanted to somehow get involved.”
Before Threads opened on Tuesday, members of the IJM set up donation boxes all over campus to collect lightly used, unwanted clothing from university students to be resold in the store. Boxes were placed in Dwight-Beeson Hall, the library, Brooks Hall, Chapman Hall, Russell Hall and Propst Hall.
The day Threads opened, members and volunteers with the Samford IJM helped customers check out items, keep clothing organized, and coordinated setup and tear down. Middendorf praised the hard work of the membership:
“This event would not be possible without the help of our members and their hearts for justice,” she said, “and we are so thankful for them!”
This semester, the Samford IJM has hosted several events, including a Power and Prayer event during which Beeson Divinity student and former Samford IJM president Jacob Patton spoke and led the congregation in prayer.
Those interested in learning more about IJM can visit https://www.ijm.org/get-involved/students
Staff Writer
