One afternoon in late April, a small barge set off from Gustavus, Alaska, en route to the world’s most remote Costco warehouse. The 96-foot ship hummed through icy water past vast expanses of wilderness and snow-capped peaks. Seven hours later in Juneau, a few intrepid men loaded its deck with $20k worth of eggs, flour, meat, canned goods, and produce.

Gustavus is remote in a way that only Alaskans can truly grasp. Even today, no roads connect it to the outside world. Even in normal times, Gustavus has an arduous supply chain. But when the town’s usual transport methods were disrupted by the global pandemic, its 446 residents found themselves with diminished access to affordable food. And one man—the town grocer—decided to take matters into his own hands.

Toshua Parker’s weathered wooden store is a lifeline for the community. It’s called Ice Strait Wholesale, but locals have dubbed it Toshco—a combination of the owner’s name and the chain from which he sources most of his goods.

During COVID-19, Toshco became crucially important. In the winter of 2019, Alaska legislators cut ferry service to Gustavus. Quarantined residents were left without an option for affordable groceries. So, Toshua loaded a few shipping crates onto his 96-foot barge and began making weekly 7-hour trips across the Icy Strait, to the tiny Costco in Alaska’s state capital. The town’s mayor has to tip his hat, “Toshua pretty much saved the town. I really don’t know what we would’ve done without him.”

When the barge pulled into Gustavus on a recent Wednesday, it was cause for celebration. Toshua says, “It’s like Christmas when the load gets here. Everyone is waiting for it. Word gets out, and they all seem to know when it’s coming.”

Possible Preaching Angle:

Help; Neighbor; Sharing; Servanthood – One person can make a difference in their community by using their God-given creativity and resources. We can all look to God for ways to shine in our neighborhood during this time of crisis.

Source:

Zachary Crockett, “The man feeding a remote Alaska town with a Costco card and a ship,” The Hustle (5-3-20)