How would you like to go without things like toilet paper or a toothbrush? Marijo Deitz, Grand Forks Wesley UMC, knew the challenges that many families face who live on limited income. Several years ago she was a single mother with two children trying to make ends meet. That memory and a visit to a church in Arizona led her to begin "Undies Sunday" with the help of the United Way in Grand Forks, North Dakota. 

Marijo Deitz spent a long weekend with her parents who lived in Arizona several years ago. She was impressed by a ministry outreach of her parents’ church. People were bringing in packages of new socks and underwear. They collected these items once a month for prison inmates. Marijo began thinking about how she could bring this concept back to Grand Forks. 

Deitz reached out to her friend, Pat Berger, with the United Way in Grand Forks, and together they launched “Undie Sunday.” It started with  donation boxes in ten churches and twelve years later it has become a fall tradition in the greater Grand Forks area. 

“We thought about how we could do this. Partnering with the churches seemed to be a great fit,“ said Pat Berger. “Marijo was our leader and distributed boxes to each of the churches.”

“It started with the churches and it has just grown over the years,” said Marijo Deitz, Grand Forks Wesley UMC. “Wesley has just been a mainstay. They have really supported the efforts. This year the youth are really involved. They created a great puppet show.”

Every October since 2003 the Grand Forks community has gathered underwear, socks, toothbrushes, shampoo, and other items. “There are many items that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other assistance programs do not provide,” said Deitz. “Things like underwear, toilet paper, soap, shampoo, a toothbrush and diapers.”

“Marijo always says—‘How would you like to a shower without soap or shampoo?'" said Berger. “Or-‘How would like to get out of the shower and not have clean underwear to put on?'”

The first three weeks of October, churches and other organizations throughout the greater Grand Forks area collect donations of underwear, socks, shampoo, soap and other personal care items.  Diapers have become the largest number of items donated. “Last year we collected over 27,000 items,” stated Berger. “Diapers are among the biggest donations.”

The donation boxes are all collected and brought to the Grand Forks United Way on the last Saturday of October. The items are organized and sorted there. Then the shopping begins. “Case managers from various agencies bring their lists and shop,” described Deitz.

“We have several organizations that need these items and we allow them to come and get the things they need for the individuals they work with for three days,” said Berger. “After they have had a chance to shop for the items, then we take the remaining items to the food shelf and thrift stores.”

The name “Undies Sunday” has stayed with the program since the beginning. “People in the community expect it,” said Berger. “They would love it if we did it more than once a year. It has enhanced giving to the United Way and throughout our community.  It is a simple way for everyone to give back.”

Deitz is no longer leading the effort but is still a strong advocate. “It started with a few churches and the growth has just been phenomenal,” said Deitz. “There is a time to let go and let others lead. I will always remember the words of one little boy the first year we distributed the items- ‘You mean I don’t have to wear my brother’s hand-me-down underwear?’ He was just so excited and thankful.”

Photos: Photos from WDAZ 8 TV video and the Grand Forks United Way.

Click here to watch and read the WDAZ 8 TV story by Ryan Laughlin.