ABOVE: Volunteers Patty Walters and Sharon Block price boutique items on Wednesday at Martin Luther High School in Northrup. The rummage sale opens today and runs through the end of the week.

NORTHROP- Today is the first day of Martin Luther High School’s (MLHS) fall rummage and bake sale. The event is one of the Northrop-based school’s largest fundraisers of the year, with thousands of donated items available for purchase.

The school’s biannual rummage sale is one of their largest fundraising events and will run until noon on Saturday. In addition to donated clothing, furniture, books and other items, the sale also features produce and baked goods.

MLHS has been organizing the rummage sales since the late 1980s and tries to expand its offerings each year. This year organizers highlighted their expanded boutique section as one area where the sale has significantly improved.

“Our boutique area keeps getting desirable items … we have a nice section of Precious Moments and we try to up the (decorations) because people love to decorate their houses,” said Tristy Rossow, a member of the committee which organized the sale.

The items available at the sale have been donated directly to MLHS by alumni, students’ family members, other individuals and area churches. In addition to the volunteers on the committee who organized the sale, the school has had dozens of student and adult volunteers who have been working on sorting and pricing each item since Oct. 15.

Rossow estimated the rummage sale sells or donates around 60 to 70 percent of all donations they receive. Around half of their leftover stock is put into storage and put up for sale again at the spring rummage sale, while the remainder is recycled, incinerated, or thrown away.

Rossow said the boutique, used toys, bedding and dish sets are typically their most popular sections.

Proceeds from the event go the MLHS Parent Teacher League (PLT) which decides what the money is spent on after the sale is completed. Typically these funds are spent on school infrastructure, trips, and mission work.

Proceeds from this year’s spring rummage sale were used to help cover the cost of offering 7th and 8th grade classes and the installation of a dishwasher in the school’s cafeteria. PLT funds have also been used to buy new athletic uniforms, building repairs and a new storage shed.

Shoppers at the rummage sale are provided with boxes to hold their items, but those interested in purchasing multiple items may want to consider bringing their own shopping bags.

Prices are negotiable over the course of the sale.

“We’re looking to make the school money, but at the same time we want to make it a good deal for people who are coming in and shopping,” said Rossow.

Doors will open at 4 p.m. today and at 8 a.m. on Friday before closing at 8 p.m on both nights. On Saturday the sale will open at 8 a.m. and close at noon. During its last day attendees can purchase whatever they can fit in a bag for three dollars.