Timmins' Mountjoy United Church holds garage sale to stay open
During its extended pandemic closure, members of the Mountjoy United Church in Timmins told CTV the church had not received many financial donations and wasn't able to hold fundraising events.
Currently at risk of being unable to pay its bills, forcing the Project Love charity that operates in its basement to relocate, the church decided it was time to hold a garage sale now that COVID rules are loosened.
"(Project Love has) money so that people can eat but they won't have a home if we can't pay the bills," said church member and Project Love volunteer Marlice MacLeod.
The church and charity gathered enough community-donated household items to fill a garage and invited people to the 'pay-what-you-can' event, which included a bottle drive.
Considering Project Love's reliance on its rent-free space at the church and since many congregation members also volunteer at the charity, organizers said it was a joint effort for a common cause.
Veteran volunteer Diane Rust said the fundraiser is just another example of how well the church and charity work together.
"We're really interconnected," Rust said.
"They help us with certain things and, of course, we help them any way we can. It works out really well, we've got a really good group."
The fundraiser garnered a larger turnout than organizers expected, though enough items were leftover that they decided to hold extend the garage sale to Sunday.
And so she hopes more people come to clear out the remaining items at 377 Waterloo Road between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.
MacLeod noted that while Project Love has been receiving donations, the church does not use its funds as they are needed to buy food for feeding those in need.
"When they come in to buy something, whatever they donate to us will be donated to put on the bills, so that Project Love has a home," MacLeod said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.