LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Allen County Children Services is asking the community to clean out closets and donate gently used items for its 20th annual Un-Garage Sale, which provides free necessities to local families in need.
The agency is accepting donations of gently used children's clothing, toys and household items to help families working through the child welfare system. The annual event allows clients to shop for needed items at no cost, helping them stretch their household budgets.
"Everything at the UnGarage Sale is free, so our clients, they don't have to pay for it, which means they can pay another bill, whether it's their electric bill, especially this time of year with the air conditioner running and stuff like that. So it just gives them another opportunity to get something to help their children," said Greg Sowinski, communications coordinator for Allen County Children Services.
The agency will not accept adult clothing, large furniture or large appliances. Donations can be dropped off at the Allen County Children Services office, 123 W. Spring St., from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 31, and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 3-4.
The Un-Garage Sale will be held Thursday, Aug. 6. Allen County Children Services clients will have exclusive shopping hours from 9 a.m. to noon, before the event opens to the public from noon to 3 p.m.
The Lima Police Department will grill hot dogs for attendees from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Last year, Allen County Children Services served 459 people through the Un-Garage Sale.
