On the morning of August 13, 2024, the Office of the Bishop staff had the privilege of spending a day in service at the West Valley Lutheran Thrift Shop (WVLTS). The experience was nothing short of inspiring as our team joined forces with the shop’s dedicated volunteers, contributing to a ministry that has supported countless ELCA missions and local non-profits with over $10 million in donations, including our office.

Our day began with a warm welcome from the WVLTS team. With over 35,000 square feet of retail space and more than 350 volunteers, the thrift shop operates like a well-oiled machine, thanks to the hard work and dedication of its staff and volunteers. We were eager to jump in and lend a hand, knowing that our efforts would support the broader mission of the shop.

We left the West Valley Lutheran Thrift Shop deeply grateful for the experience and even more appreciative of the vital role this ministry plays in our community. The dedication of the volunteers, some of whom have been with the shop for over 20 years, is a testament to the power of service and the impact of collective effort.

We’re already looking forward to our next visit. Below are some of the comments from each of the team about their experience:

Bishop Deborah Hutterer: I got to straighten shelves with towels, sheets, placemats and sort through incoming items. I appreciate how so much care goes into how things look on the floor so it is appealing to the customers. And, I am grateful for how patient the regulars were with the newbies!

Rev. Jacqueline Pagel, Bishop’s Associate for Candidacy and Faith Formation: Had fun hanging clothes and getting them ready for sell. Wish I had time to shop.

Theresa Thornburgh, Director for Administration and Events: I got to work at the “red door” – where all the treasures are received and sorted. I have to admit there were some items I couldn’t identify! I was amazed by the hard work and dedication of the volunteers – they were amazing! It was a great teambuilding activity for our staff, and I hope we get to visit again soon!

Brian Flatgard, Director of Communications: I got to run outside and help unload cars as they came to deliver goods. They have the drop-off system down to a science. I was amazed at the number of volunteers it takes to make the store run so efficiently. I was even more impressed with the good cheer of every single person in there. I want to go back and volunteer more!

Rev. Dan Potaznick, Director of Generosity and Strategic Development: Pastor Phil Gustafson and I were assigned to the "Man Cave", an area that typically organizes sporting goods and recreational items for people of all genders. While sorting golf clubs and bags to put on the floor we found two vintage bags which google lens said were going for $200+ on eBay. 

After the golf clubs, I was offered the challenge of putting air in a bike that had long been neglected and testing its brakes. After almost rolling over Brian in the parking lot I found out the brakes did indeed work, so I fixed the chain, and we put oil in the gears. I hope that bike can bring joy to one lucky person in Sun City this winter. 

Even so, the best part of the time was seeing friends from multiple Lutheran churches across the valley who were volunteering that day and making new friends who have never been to a Lutheran church. 

Rev. Patricia Reed, Transition Coach: I was blessed to work with Theresa Thornberg and Brian Flatgard at the red door, which is the point of entry for donated items.  The donations kept coming all morning.   It was fun to see the newly donated items and know that one's person's "trash" was going to be treasures for ministries throughout the Synod.  Some items truly are treasures.  One of the volunteers is charged with identifying vintage or valuable items that will be auctioned off separately to raise even more money for ministry.  We left the store grateful to the Thrift Store volunteers and staff for the good work they are doing.

Rev. Phil Gustafson, Transition Coach: The greatest blessing I experienced in my time at the Lutheran Thrift Store was the blessing of the many volunteers who ensure high quality items be displayed for sales at the store.  The enthusiasm and  care taken by those volunteers in processing and displaying the goods deeply impressed me.

Solveig Muus, Director, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona: I had a great time at WVLTS today ~ the time went so fast! I had the privilege of working with Barb in the home decor and housewares intake section. We assessed and cleaned the goods, priced a few hundred items, and strategically placed them on the sales floor according to category. We wrote a "K" on pre-printed price tags to indicate the month the goods came in (K for August) ~ I wonder how they use that information? With tags of all price ranges from 25¢ to $25 ~ "No! We never price anything at 25¢! Not even the crummiest thing" ~ what tag did use over and over again, ultimately running out? 50¢. I guess it's true what my mom says: "One man's junk is another man's treasure."

It was fun to meet the volunteers who came by to scope out our wares ~ "Any antiques needing special attention?" (Some collectible frogs came in that were whisked away for expert pricing.) "Is that Limoges? Oh, never mind, it has a chip." "Anything worth pulling off the line before customers see it?" (Barb snagged a cowboy-style wrought iron stand for her son's house, and I selected a Mexican Tonala terra cotta quail.) The self-described house 'historian' came through when Barb was away; she questioned my $6 tag on a crystal decanter, and after hefting the stopper a few times in her hand, opined that $8 was a better bet. Upon Barb's return, Barb good-naturedly suggested that she should mind her own beeswax. I gather that happens a lot.

Seriously, I had a blast, and learned a lot from these hard-working volunteers. "Really? This glass votive cup gets 50¢?" "Oh! Well, put a candle in it!"

Autumn Byars, Hunger Advocacy Fellow: I've shopped at the West Valley Lutheran Thrift Store many times over the years, and it was wonderful to get a chance to see the behind-the-scenes of the operation! 

A long with Pastor Jacqui Pagel, I spent the morning preparing donated clothing to be put out on the floor. The WVLTS has a reputation for selling high quality clothing, so each piece is carefully examined. I was given a rack of clothing and I checked each item for damage or stains, before preparing a tag. On each tag I wrote down the items size and chose a price based on the pricing guide on the table. After that, I attached the tag to the item. After being inspected and tagged, the clothing was moved to a different rack where it was steamed cleaned, before being taken out to the racks on the floor. It took me right back to my summer jobs working at the mall!

While working, I got a chance to chat with the two regular volunteers working on clothing donations. One even remembered me from when I visited Lord of Life Lutheran with Lutheran Campus Ministry at ASU!