iStock/Wiphop Sathawirawong
If a penny saved is a penny earned, then there are plenty of pennies to go around by shopping at PennyWise Thrift Store. Treasures abound at the nonprofit in the Grace Family Center, 2443 Commerce Blvd., Mound. “It’s almost easier to say what you can’t find,” says Sheryl Delke, manager.
This time of year, many are in search of ways to give back to the local community through making donations or offering volunteer time. PennyWise is primarily run through two part-time employees and more than 60 volunteers, working anywhere from one shift a month to four shifts a week, sorting, pricing and stocking donations; operating the cash register and providing customer service. (Find details at ourladyofthelake.com.)
Volunteers have been at the heart of PennyWise Thrift Store since its inception in 1969 when the incoming pastor for Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church saw a need for more social services in the community. “It all began with just a small amount of people packing food and clothes,” Delke says. Fifty-six years later, the mission has remained largely the same: “to minimize environmental impact through re-use and recycling while maximizing the generosity of each donation.” Donations are welcome during store hours, and most items are accepted, apart from furniture.
While quirky items abound, for those looking for high-end treasures, there are plenty to find. Shoppers with designer tastes should visit the Oval Rack (a nod to the former Dayton’s Oval Room) where volunteers stock all of the designer donations—some with the tags still attached.
Proceeds from sales are poured back into the community, benefiting a number of nonprofit groups, including the Gillespie Center, Meals on Wheels, WeCAB, WeCAN, Westonka Food Shelf and more. For donations PennyWise is unable to accept, its charity partners, including St. Olaf’s Samaritan Ministry and Mary’s Place, are offered the items.
