310 Brighton Ave. S, Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-4178
Buffalo's Largest Nonprofit Thrift Store for over 30 years!
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What is the Wise Penny?
The Wise Penny Thrift Shoppe is a nonprofit charitable organization, established in 1984, to support West Lutheran High School in Plymouth, MN; Christian Life Ministries of the Twin Cities; and the Twin Cities metro area Lutheran Institutional Ministry Association (LIMA). All three organizations are affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod/Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS/ELS) churches in the Twin Cities metro area. The Wise Penny's support comes through the resale of donated items in our two-story thrift store in Buffalo, MN.
We are literally "Wise with a Penny". Nearly everything donated to us is resold, repurposed, or recycled. For example, buttons are removed from clothing that is in poor condition. The buttons are sorted, bagged, and resold. Clothing scraps are bagged and sold as rags or sent to a recycling center which shreds them for insulation. Unusable candles and crayons are melted and made into new candles or campfire starters. Some of our volunteers repair clothing, furniture or appliances; others sew, knit or make new craft items.
We have a large team of volunteers - a nine-member Board of Directors and over 150 volunteer workers! A store manager, assistant manager, and two store supervisors manage the overall operation of the store and coordination of volunteers.
For the past 30 years, we have served the people in Wright County by offering quality, reusable items at affordable prices. All items are donated; some are brand-new and some are previously used. If we have an overabundance or if items haven't sold within 90 days, our service reaches out beyond the local area. Many of our items continue on the recycling path to supply basic necessities to the needy through various charities. (See a partial list below).
1. Shop in our store! We have something for everyone, and new items arrive daily!
2. Donate quality items in good condition.3. Volunteer! Please call Lanita at (763) 658-2380 for more information.
In addition to the charities listed below, your donations and your purchases have allowed us to help out many others near and far over the years. Recipients of some of our goods include:
* Epilepsy Foundation
* Cerebral Palsy Foundation
* St Anne's Place (Ascension Place Inc)
* Families referred to us by the Wright County Social Services and BHM Schools
* Flood victims in southeastern Minnesota
* Wright County Historical Society
* Needy families in Jamaica
* School bags/supplies to Mission to the Children in Mexico
* Coats, mittens and boots to Afghanistan children through a US Soldier
* We Care We Share
* Sharing and Caring Hands, Catholic Charities, The Village Family
Counseling clients, Youth for Missions, Wright County Community
Action, New Orleans hurricane victims, Indian Reservation in Montana, World Relief, Outreach to the Hmong, and more...
WLHS is a WELS/ELS high school serving grades 9-12. Enrollment is open to anyone. WLHS is located at 3350 Harbor Lane North in Plymouth, MN. If you are interested in Christian secondary education for your children, visit the wesite http://www.wlhs.net/ or call the school office at (763) 509-9378.
2. Christian Life Ministries
CLM exists to help families in the community that face life issues by extending help through New Day Pregnancy Center, New Day Thrift Store and Life-Centered Education. It is located at 2756 Lake Shore Avenue, Little Canada, MN. If you know anyone who could benefit from these services, contact Christian Life Ministries via phone at (651) 649-3538, via email at office@clmonline.org, or visit them online at www.clmonline.org
3. Lutheran Institutional Ministry Association (LIMA).
LIMA provides personal pastoral care upon referral to individuals in hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities and college campuses in the Twin Cities area.
To refer a loved one for care, contact www.mnwelschaplains.com.
About Us
310 Brighton Avenue S, Buffalo, MN 55313
phone: (763) 682-4178
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