SPRING 2025 NEWSLETTER

I thought that I’d better get out a Spring Newsletter before it gets to be summertime. The time seems to go by so quickly the older I get so much so that the weeks seem like days and months like weeks. The bad news that we received lately at ATLAS is that our roof and AC units for the building need to be replaced. The good news is we are kick-starting a Capital Campaign to raise the money needed for these needs of ATLAS. (Check out the video on our Ways to Donate section of the website) For the last 10 plus years, ATLAS has been there for the needs of thousands of people in Rock County. Now, through the maintenance upgrade needs of our building, we have provided an opportunity for many to give back to ATLAS. Even if you have never received help from us, please consider giving to support our community through ATLAS. Your gift will go far to ensure that ATLAS continues to help the people of Rock County from all different walks of life into the future. We have partnered with LACF (Luverne Area Community Foundation) to streamline the process of giving for this great cause. The goal is to raise $200,000 for the new roof and AC units. Please look for upcoming news in the media as this campaign unfolds and gets its start. I look forward to meeting many of you in Rock County both new faces, and also more familiar ones too. Meeting people is what I love to do. The variety of people that God has placed here is indescribably rich. Many of you often ask questions about ATLAS. I have compiled a list of the most asked questions. I hope this is informative for all of you, and it might help you to understand better what
ATLAS is about.

Are ATLAS and Redeemed Remnants two different businesses? 

 IRedeemed Remnants is a thrift store that is one of several different ministries owned and operated by ATLAS.  ATLAS is a faith based, interdenominational non-profit.

How many other ATLAS’s are there?
The current number is 12 and they are:
Willmar MN
Pipestone MN
Luverne MN
Rock Rapids IA
Sioux Center IA
Rock Valley IA
Orange City IA
Sibley IA
Okoboji IA (The Lakes)
Spencer IA
Lincoln NE
Greensboro GA

Are all ATLAS’s the same?
All ATLAS’s are the same in the fact that all of them have free mentoring services and all uphold the three pillars of ATLAS being: HELP THE HURTING, EQUIP THE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS, UNITE THE COMMUNITY. However, all of them look differently because they all minister to the variety of needs in the communities and counties that they serve.

What do you do with all the stuff that gets donated?
Everything is examined carefully to determine sellable quality. The best of the best items are cleaned up and priced for the sale floor. This enables our shoppers to receive like new items at low prices. Other clothing and shoes which is still wearable is baled for support of JFA, a ministry in Rock Valley IA.  At ATLAS Textile Recycling, we recycle about 75,000 pounds of clothing and shoes per year for worldwide distribution. Other items that get recycled and reused here are towels for fire departments, jeans and scraps for quilters, dog beds and blankets for the Humane Society, metal to be repurposed into artwork, and linens for bandages. Books that are not sold in the store are sent to a large book store to be resold there. At ATLAS, we are committed to helping others out of the abundance God has given to us. Reuse and recycling is one of the best ways to make the resources that God has given us go even further.

What do you do at the ATLAS office?
In the ATLAS office there are two people.  Our Office Manager, Laura Luitjens, and I as Executive Director oversee all aspects of ATLAS of Rock County and are responsible for all of the ministries therein. Both of us are mentors and we will walk alongside people who come to see us. We prefer people to make an appointment but walk-ins are welcome.  The office has duties of payroll for 10 people, 3 fulltime and 7 part time employees.  It handles bill paying, keeps records, works with other agencies and churches in the community, and works closely with individuals to better their position in life and helping them to realize their need for having a close relationship with Jesus Christ.

What can I do to help ATLAS in my community?
Pray. The power of prayer is mighty indeed. We can’t do what we do without God’s help and provision. ATLAS operates solely on donations. Your donations at the alley door at Redeemed Remnants and shopping there helps us immensely. Your continued financial gifts to us at the ATLAS office keeps us working towards a better community.  Please let others know about all of the ministries of ATLAS. Our different ministries are:

Second Mile Bicycles, ATLAS Community Room, ATLAS Textile Recycling, Redeemed Remnants, Sweet Dreams Beds, Matthew 6 Outreach.

If you want to know more about ATLAS and its ministries, come in and visit us at the ATLAS office at 101 W. Maple St. in Luverne, MN. We’d love to have you stop in. Our number is 507-449-5777.