More than a sale: How St. Peter’s annual rummage event transforms lives and communities
A Rummage Sale that began in 1993, as a way to raise funds for a local church, has turned into a huge annual event that serves over a dozen nonprofit organizations and aids people throughout the community — both those who shop and those who donate. While it is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the church, it is so much more.
St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Skokie, at the corner of Oakton and Laramie, has hosted the annual Rummage and Bake Sale on the third Friday and Saturday of September for over 30 years. Even COVID could not shut it down. Annie Noorts and Beth Lanford — co-chairs of the Rummage Committee — used an online scheduling platform to regulate visitors and keep volunteers and shoppers safe. And since 2021, the attendance at the sale has more than doubled … and Annie thinks she knows why.
“People are always looking for high quality, inexpensive items for their homes and families — we provide that,” says Annie. “There are so many people struggling to make ends meet these days. They can come to our sale and know they are getting a great deal on items they need like clothes and household items, or just those fun things people want to decorate the house or toys for the kids.”
The outcome of such a successful sale has many benefits. Multiple nonprofit organizations receive items that do not sell. Inspire Through Flowers, for example, gets dozens of leftover flower vases, tissue and ribbons to support their organization’s mission to bring flowers to health care patients and staff in hospitals, nursing homes, and veteran’s facilities. Unsold items that are in good condition go to the Jesse Brown VA, the Niles Township Respite Center, Catholic Charities, Skokie’s Lending Closet, Refugee One, and Refugee Community Connections. Winter coats are donated to the Chicago Bears Annual Coat Drive.
St. Peter’s also partners with several community groups who provide housewares and small appliances to people transitioning from homelessness like North Side Housing and Supportive Services (Chicago) and Turpin Cares (Beverly). Local family fire victims have been invited to restock their towels, bed linens and clothing.
Many shoppers also support their own personal passion projects through the Rummage Sale. One shopper told a sale volunteer that she purchases comfortable, easy-to-change clothing for nursing home residents where she is a caregiver. One annual shopper comes looking for items made of wool to create blankets, and another comes seeking good shoes to send to people in need in other countries. And the list goes on.
Community service does not just happen during and after the sale. St. Peter’s accepts donations year-round, and people are invited to drop their items throughout the year as they move, downsize, reorganize or just clean house. This keeps items out of the landfills and gets them into the hands of others who can use them.
A special “Savers FunDrive” is held in January, timed for those who clean out their closets and drawers after Christmas. Softgoods are collected and either kept for the Rummage Sale or donated to Savers secondhand Clothing Stores, where St. Peter’s receives a per-pound price that supports the General Fund.
The sale spans the whole lower level of the church, which includes a gymnasium, a fellowship hall, and a stage. Collectors storm the Boutique in the first hour on Friday looking for jewelry, antiques and specialty items. The rest of the space is devoted to everything imaginable (and some items you have to see to believe). There is truly something for everyone, and everyone benefits in innumerable ways.
St. Peter’s UCC Skokie has been a fixture in the local community since 1867. For more information about this congregation, or details about the Rummage Sale (including dates, times, location, parking and payment options), visit the website at StPeterUCCSkokie.org or follow on Facebook and Instagram @stpeteruccskokie.