First & Second Thrift Store distributes $180,000 to 33 nonprofits
Feb 12, 2025 05:36AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: First and Second Thrift Store
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - February 12, 2025
Last week, First & Second Thrift Store distributed checks to 33 non-profits at its annual Payout Party at the Johnson Heritage Post. This year, the event was a fashion show, with volunteers wearing outfits from the thrift store. In total, the organization earned over $180,000 in profit in 2024. This was the first full year the First and Second Thrift Store was in the Birchbark Building after moving from the Cobblestone building (next to Voyageur Brewery). Despite a rent increase and rise in utility costs in the new location, the store increased its income by over 50% in 2024, according to Ann Marie Mershon, store manager.
2023 was a big year for the store, with total distributions reaching over one million dollars to local non-profits over 17 years. That year, total profit was $117,389, and over 4,270 volunteer hours were recorded. First and Second Thrift Store divides the total profit by volunteer hours to get an hourly "wage." Each volunteer can designate up to five local non-profits to receive the earnings.
At the event last week, it was announced that over $180,000 was made in profit, and 45 volunteers contributed 6,542 hours for a "wage" of $27.51 per hour (which was incredibly close to the $27.49 an hour from 2023).
First and Second Thrift Store is currently looking for volunteers. According to Mershon, shifts are two hours each. "Volunteers who worked just one shift a week [last] year donated $1430 to their favorite local nonprofits," she said. Those interested can call Ann Marie at 218-387-2245 or stop by the store for a volunteer application.2024 donations went to the following nonprofits:
- American Legion Auxiliary Post 413: $5,126
- Arrowhead Animal Rescue: $12,195
- Bethlehem Lutheran Church: $11,572
- Care Partners of Cook County: $9,836
- Coldwater Found. (Mink Lake Camp): $1,127
- CC Council on Aging: $6,725
- CC Food Shelf (AEOA): $2,532
- CC Higher Education: $1,334
- CC Historical Society: $556
- CC Local Energy Project: $1,282
- CC Tennis Association: $1,646
- CC YMCA: $145
- Empty Bowls of Cook County: $867
- Evangelical Free Church: $8,830
- First Congregational Church: $15,625
- Go Dog North Shore: $69
- Grand Marais Art Colony: $82
- Grand Marais Playhouse: $14,172
- Great Expectations Foundation: $8,455
- Great Expectations School: $5,401
- Hamilton Habitat: $27,182
- ISD 166-Angel Fund: $8,394
- ISD 166-Chemistry Dept: $732
- Library Friends of Cook County: $3,906
- Maple Hill Fire Relief Association: $2,244
- Minnesota Children’s Press: $1,766
- North Point, Inc.: $861
- Ruby’s Pantry: $1,874
- St. John’s Catholic Church: $3,309
- Tofte Historical Society: $6,136
- Violence Prevention Center: $11,801
- WISE: $1,880
- WTIP: $2,341
