Oddz & Endz distributes $200,250 to Cook County nonprofits

2025 was another strong year of donations and community support for the Oddz & Endz thrift store in Grand Marais.

On Friday, Feb. 13, the Oddz & Endz board of directors announced it has donated $200,250 in payouts to 35 Cook County non-profits.

Oddz & Endz volunteers | Contributed by Oddz & Endz

Each year, after covering operating expenses, the thrift store distributes its proceeds according to the number of hours volunteers have accrued. The volunteers select local non-profits that support county initiatives involving food security, housing, health and safety, worship, education, recreation, and more.

Oddz & Endz Board President Janice Latz said the organization appreciates the community’s support through donations, purchases, and volunteering.

“Thank you! We look forward to continued growth and investment in Cook County,” Latz said.

Fundraising is central to the thrift store’s mission and serves as a primary way it supports local nonprofits. Board Treasurer Linda Noble added that the organization also takes pride in its commitment to reducing waste.

“We accept donations of clean, sellable household goods, including furniture and tools, keeping those items out of local and regional landfills. We make these items available to the community at economical prices to be reused or repurposed,” Noble said.

Last but not least, Oddz & Endz volunteer Pattie Beyer said another core part of the organization’s mission is to build community.

“We love to be here to support our community financially. What sticks with us, though, are the connections we make with our customers and donors. We help when someone is moving themselves or a loved one,” Beyer said. “We help when a new resident is setting up a household. We share the joy when a unique treasure is found. We help, sometimes, by just being here and sharing a hug or lending an ear at just the right time.”

The 2025 distribution of over $200,000 is the largest since the inception of the program. In 2024, Oddz & Endz distributed shy of $174,000 to 22 nonprofits. In 2023, the organization distributed $110,000 to 27 nonprofits.

A list of the 2025 Oddz & Endz nonprofit recipients is below:

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 413
Arrowhead Animal Rescue
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Birch Grove Community School
Colville Fire Dept.
Care Partners of Cook County
Cook County Council on Aging
Cook County Curling Club
Cook County Higher Education
Cook County Historical Society
Cornerstone Community Church

Empty Bowls
Evangelical Free Church
First Congregational Church
Flintrock Range Association
Go Dog Northshore
Grand Marais Food Shelf
Grand Marais Playhouse
Hamilton Habitat
Library Friends
Lumi Homes
Lutsen Lutheran Church
Maple Hill Church
Minn. Children’s press
North House Folk School
Oddz & Endz
Oral Health Task Force at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic
Ruby’s pantry
Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Giving Tree
Schroeder Historical Society- Cross River Heritage
Spirit of the Wilderness
Spirit of the Wilderness Good Samaritan Fund
Violence Prevention Center
WISE
WTIP

Kalli Hawkins February 13, 2026