Sandpoint Nonprofit Store Marks 20 Years and $2.5 Million Raised for North Idaho Community
A Sandpoint thrift store with a boutique feel has quietly become one of North Idaho’s most productive community fundraising engines. Bizarre Bazaar, the volunteer-run “upscale resale” shop operated by the Community Assistance League (CAL), is marking two decades in operation — and more than $2.5 million generated for local scholarships, nonprofits, and community programs along the way.
A Store Built on Donated Goods and Volunteer Hours
Unlike traditional retail, Bizarre Bazaar runs entirely on donated merchandise and volunteer labor. The shop carries gently used linens, household goods, men’s and women’s clothing, used books, and craft supplies — items that shoppers describe as resembling a boutique more than a typical thrift store. A pair of jeans sells for $5. Anything that doesn’t move is passed along to other thrift operations rather than discarded.
Sherry Fulton, who has been with the store since its founding, says the selection sets Bizarre Bazaar apart. “There are some incredible donated items,” she noted, pointing to the craft section as particularly unique in the local market.
All proceeds flow back into the community. This year alone, CAL expects to distribute more than $225,000 in educational scholarships and grants to local nonprofit organizations. The broader organization has been serving the Sandpoint area for 46 years.
A Track Record of Impact Across Bonner County
Joyce Price, CAL’s board president, says the cumulative reach of Bizarre Bazaar over two decades is something the organization is proud of. “Over the past 20 years, Bizarre Bazaar has helped generate more than $2.5 million in funding for the community,” Price said.
The list of beneficiaries spans a wide range of local causes. Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc. (SASi) has received more than $60,000 from CAL over five years, funding its nutrition program and helping pay for heating and cooling systems at its senior gathering center. CAL also delivers gift bags to homebound seniors during the Christmas season.
Lindsey Hughes, board president for SASi, called CAL’s community impact immeasurable, adding that the generosity reflected in the organization is part of what makes North Idaho a special place to live.
The Pend Oreille Arts Council has partnered with CAL since 1992. Executive Director Tone Stolz credits that relationship with sustaining the Kaleideoscope Visual Arts Program, which funds art instruction in every elementary school in Bonner County. “Without this program, there would be no art classes in any of the elementary schools,” Stolz said.
The Bonner Community Food Bank used CAL grant funding to purchase a walk-in cooler and a produce scale. Executive Director Debbie Love said the support has strengthened the food bank’s ability to serve neighbors “with dignity and care.”
The Unique Center for Athletes of Needs (UCAN), which serves athletes with disabilities, has also benefited from CAL funding over the years. Head Coach and Executive Director Mariah Decker said CAL’s dollars go directly toward equipment and instructor compensation that make consistent programming possible. Decker invoked a Margaret Mead quote to describe the organization: “Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world.”
Long-Term Sustainability Built In
CAL took steps a decade ago to ensure its mission would outlast its current volunteers. The organization established an endowment fund through the Idaho Community Foundation, providing a financial foundation that will allow CAL to continue supporting students and nonprofits for generations. It is the kind of structural planning that distinguishes sustainable community organizations from one-generation efforts.
For North Idaho residents interested in charitable giving or community volunteerism, Bizarre Bazaar represents a model worth noting — a locally rooted, self-sustaining fundraising operation that has channeled millions of dollars back into Sandpoint and Bonner County without relying on government grants or outside funding.
What Comes Next
CAL says Bizarre Bazaar will continue operating in Sandpoint, with no plans to slow down. Shoppers looking to donate gently used goods or pick up quality items at low prices can support the store directly. Volunteers remain the engine that keeps the operation running, and the organization continues to welcome community participation.
Stories of community-driven giving like this are part of what defines North Idaho’s civic culture. For more community coverage across Kootenai County and the broader Panhandle region, visit Torch Run Comes to North Idaho, or read about recent local leadership news including the appointment of Coeur d’Alene’s new Fire Chief.