About Us

What is the Wise Penny?

The Wise Penny Thrift Shoppe is a nonprofit charitable organization whose primary purpose is to support West Lutheran High School, Christian Life Ministries and the metro area Lutheran Institutional Ministry Association (LIMA).

Our volunteers are literally "wise with a penny". Hardly anything donated to us goes to waste. If clothing comes to us in poor condition, we remove the buttons and sell them separately; then the scraps get bagged to be sold as rags or sent on to a recycling center which shreds them for insulation. Some of our volunteers repair clothing, furniture or appliances; others sew, knit or make new craft items.

Who operates The Wise Penny?

We have a large team of volunteers - a nine-member Board of Directors and over 150 volunteer workers! We now have two part-time paid positions, manager and assistant manager, who manage the overall operation of the store and coordination of volunteers.

For the past twenty-six years, we have served the people in our community by offering good quality reusable items at affordable prices. All items are donated. If we have an overabundance or if items haven't sold within 60-90 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).

How can I help?
You can help by contributing new and used clothing and items in good condition. Also, tell others about our store and the great bargains. Or, you could become one of our valuable volunteers. Please call Lanita Farstad at 763-658-2380.

What does The Wise Penny support?
     
    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
    * The 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
       over there
    * 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, Wright County Public 
      Heath Nurse clients, Indian Reservation in Montana, World Relief, 
      Outreach to the Hmongs, and more...