Laugh It Up for a Good Cause During the Jeff Allen Comedy Café, Sept. 17

Bakken Oil Rush Ministry is presenting the Jeff Allen Comedy Café Saturday, Sept. 17th at the Watford City High School Performing Arts Center, 2313 Wolf Den Parkway. The venue accommodates about 500 people and the family friendly show will start at 7:00pm central time with Starbucks coffee and cheesecake served following the performance.

The United Methodist Church started Bakken Oil Rush Ministry in 2013, after seeing a need for an outreach ministry in the area. The ministry has transitioned to a community based organization, run by Directors Jim and Kathie Konsor and a board made up of six community members; with the transition, came the responsibility of raising funds to keep the ministry in operation. It was decided that having a couple of large fundraising events would be more constructive than holding several small fundraising events throughout the year.

After contacting Jeff Allen and explaining their needs, the comedian gave Bakken Oil Rush Ministry a reduced rate, and businesses and local churches have stepped up to sponsor the show.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at http://www.eventbrite.com. Anyone with questions about the event can call 701-444-2355.

Bakken Oil Rush Ministry meets the needs of area residents and newcomers with their traveling thrift store, which is a converted toy-hauler travel trailer. They provide clothes, blankets, small kitchenwares, and occasionally furniture to those in need. The traveling thrift store is open in conjunction with the food pantry, the first Tuesday of every month from 5:00pm – 7:00pm, and the third Tuesday of each month from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Additional hours are posted at the traveling thrift store. Annual outreach events are also part of what the ministry provides, such as the Fall Coat giveaway held in October. The traveling thrift store is parked in the Cash Wise Foods parking lot in Watford City and winter coats are distributed to those who need them. Last year they served more than 370 people.

Bakken Oil Rush Ministry rents the Civic Center for one day each December, where people are invited to listen to the Christmas Story, sing Christmas carols, and share a hot meal before the toy mall opens. Children that come to the Christmas event receive a ticket to 'shop' at the toy mall, where the ministry gives them brand new still packaged toys.

There are many people who find themselves in difficult situations, whether they are local or have just moved to the area.

"We try to get them from a desperate place, to a place where their needs are met and they have hope for their situation," explained Director Jim Konsor.

In May the ministry began renting a building with an option to buy and they are currently renovating the space. To date they have given more than 31,000 items to more than 2,500 families and individuals.

To learn more, visit them on Facebook at Oil Rush Ministry or contact Jim Konsor at 605-268-0058; anyone who would like to donate can send contributions to Bakken Oil Rush Ministry, PO Box 2901, Watford City, ND, 58854.