DeKalb Collects 7,000 Rolls of Toilet Paper

DECATUR, Ga.—DeKalb County employees, students and residents teamed up with a local teenager in her mission to collect toilet paper for the homeless.

Approximately 7,000 rolls of toilet paper were collected during a February drive sponsored by the office of DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. DeKalb County exceeded its goal of collecting 3,000 rolls of toilet paper.

The toilet paper drive was in partnership with 17-year-old Kendall Robinson’s Love Rolls Inc., a local nonprofit organization which has collected approximately 225,000 rolls of toilet paper and distributed 125,000 rolls to homeless individuals, people in need and those impacted by natural disasters. The organization’s goal is to collect one million rolls of toilet paper.

“A homeless man shared with me how he would have to ration out one roll of toilet paper to make it last a whole month,” Robinson said about the inspiration for her nonprofit organization’s mission. “Toilet paper is a luxury that a lot of people take for granted.”

The toilet paper was collected at several locations throughout DeKalb County from Feb. 12 to Feb. 23. Various county departments, along with the offices of District Attorney Sherry Boston and Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling. Additionally, Cedar Grove High School, DeKalb High School of Technology-South and Cedar Grove and Flat Shoals elementary schools participated in the drive.

“The county is pleased to support a project that addresses one of the most basic needs for humans,” CEO Thurmond said. “Our donation helps The Love Rolls project restore and protect the dignity of the homeless, needy and those who have gone through a natural disaster.”

Robinson, who will be presented a proclamation for “Love Rolls Day in DeKalb County” from CEO Thurmond and the Board of Commissioners on March 13, said she is grateful for DeKalb’s participation.

“To the people of DeKalb County, thank you so much for hopping on board and just standing with me and supporting me,” Robinson said. “I’m just so glad that you are so eager to give back to your communities.”