SANDPOINT — Remember Rumpelstiltskin?

You know, the fellow who spun straw into gold?

That, said Community Assistance League publicity chairman Marilyn Haddad, is what happens at Bizarre Bazaar.

The community donates their “straw” — the gently used items they no longer need or want, everything from clothing and kitchenware to linens and sporting goods.

CAL volunteers then go to work. They sort, press, clean and price the items before placing them on the racks and shelves that fill their two-story upscale resale shop. Community members in search of treasures then turn the items into “gold,” which allows CAL to put the money back into the community.

This year, Haddad said CAL was able to distribute $88,500 in grant to fund worthy projects in the community.

Among the grants distributed by the community group include support for local schools translating into books, art programs, recess equipment; support for local museums and libraries, support for local police and firemen, performing arts programs, and music and environmental education programs.

Funds also went toward afterschool youth programs, summer soccer scholarships, community cancer services, hospice/Kids Grief Camp, local food banks, senior services, including Meals on Wheels; and Bonner Partners in Cares’ expansion of the crisis hotline to name a few.

“Think how many lives are touched through the generosity of our community and the CAL volunteers at Bizarre Bazaar who make this transformation possible,” Haddad said. “It truly is a magical place.”

Donations can be dropped off at Bizarre Bazaar, 502 Church St., Sandpoint, Haddad said.

“Continued donations, as well as the purchases, by the community are what allow us to continue to give all proceeds back to the community now and into the future,” she said.

Donations were presented to:

American Heritage Wildlife Foundation, Arts Alliance, Bonner Community Food Bank, Bonner County Fair and Rodeo, Bonner County Historical Museum, Bonner County Justice Services, Bonner General Health Community Hospice, Bonner Partners in Care, Bonner Soil and Water Conservation District, Clark Fork-Hope Senior Services, Community Cancer Services, Eureka Institute,

Festival at Sandpoint, Forrest Bird Charter School, Friends of West Bonner Library District, Idaho Hill Elementary School, Kaleidoscope, Kinderhaven, Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper, Memorial Community Center, Music Conservatory of Sandpoint North Idaho High School Aerospace Program, Inc., Northside School, Northside School, Panida Theater, Pend Oreille Arts Council,

Pend Oreille Rowing and Paddling Association, Ponderay Police Department, Priest Lake Food Bank, Priest River Museum, Sagle Fire District, Sandpoint Area Seniors, Sandpoint Fire Department, Sandpoint High School, Sandpoint Lions Club, Sandpoint Parks and Recreation

Sandpoint Soccer Association, Sandpoint Youth Center, The Village Green Project, Washington Elementary, and Westside Fire District.