Community Benefit Sale

In 1968 a Maryville College student began serving at New Providence as a student minister. This was before Target, before urban renewal built Greenbelt Park and Parkside, and New Providence ministered through Sunnybrook and Home Avenue Chapels. As Jerry Cooper served the folks at the chapels, he saw a need and approached the women of the congregation with an idea. Folks needed clothes, but were too proud to accept donations. Could we sell them at a very low price? The Community Benefit Sale was born.

Marianna Bloomer, Bessie Law and Eloise Boyd chaired the sale in those early days. In the mid 1970’s, Stella Gass became chair and served for over 20 years. Mrs. Gass was heard to say that she had received everything but the kitchen sink. Not only have they received a kitchen sink, which was donated to a Habitat for Humanity home, but there is a second sink waiting for its Habitat home.

Total distributions given to community charities and agencies this period was $24,000. The attached list identifies these agencies and the amounts they received.

The CBS project includes sorting and pricing activities (primarily on Mondays, but on other days as well); setting up for the sale; the sale itself; storage after the sale; jewelry cleaning and packaging; packaging greeting cards; collectibles selection, storage and pricing; laundry and mending of clothing as needed. More than thirteen sales held during the year including Collectible & Antiques Sale and the annual Christmas Sale.

Items not sold at our monthly sales were distributed as follows:

Goodwill picks up left-over clothing weekly.
Clothing and toys were donated to Sunset Gap Center Thrift Shop.
Clothing was donated to Good Neighbors, Haven House, Steps Inc., Morgan-Scott Project, Knoxville YWCA, families experiencing a home fire, and to individuals on an as-needed basis.
Stuffed animals were taken to the Blount County Sheriff’s Department where they are then given to children in crisis and/or stressful events and for Christmas gifts.
Books and other supplies were donated to Head Start located at NPPC.
Medical supplies were given to Ed Best and Clarence Durham for NPPC's Medical Loan Ministry.
Furniture and household items were donated to Blount County Habitat for Humanity Home Store.
Coats were collected for the Boys’ and Girls’ Home, and the Blount County Coat drive.
Bathrobes and nightgowns are donated to nursing homes.

Because of generous donations, the PWC CBS is able to have monthly sales, return the profits back to the community and, at the same time, make generous donations to other needy causes.

Antiques and Collectibles Sale

The Community Benefit Sale volunteers collect donated items throughout the year and reserve them for this special sale. When you clean out your attic, basement, or even your closets, please consider bringing your vintage items to this sale. These items bring a bigger selling price, in turn, providing more money for local non-profit agencies (which is where all the money from these sales go).

In addition to vintage and collectible items, we will be accepting vintage and collectible furniture. If you plan to donate furniture, please contact Donna Booher before bringing your donation to the church. If your item is really big, arrangements may be made to pick up the item.

If you leave your donations for this sale at the church, please mark them for the Antiques and Collectibles Sale. We hope to see you at the sale!