Freeland church hosts 61st Trash and Treasure sale, funds local charities

St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods Episcopal Church will turn Freeland into a one-stop thrift stop Saturday when it opens its 61st Trash and Treasure sale, a South Whidbey tradition that helps residents stretch household budgets while sending money to local nonprofits.

The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5217 South Honeymoon Bay Road. Shoppers can expect housewares, jewelry, art, artifacts, crafts, office supplies, linens, toys, sporting goods, furnishings, small appliances, tools, garden items, plants and other finds, along with a treasure shop stocked with antiques, silver, crystal, fine art and collectibles. A Chapel Cafe lunch will be part of the day, adding another reason for neighbors to linger and browse.

Since 1962, the sale has raised approximately $250,000 for Whidbey charities, a figure that shows how much a church fundraiser can matter in a county where food costs, housing pressure and other daily expenses leave many families looking for low-cost options. This year’s beneficiaries include Good Cheer, Pajama Place, Whidbey Environmental Action Network, Whidbey Homeless Coalition and Whidbey Island Nourishes, along with Pamoja Place, Friends of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, Kids First, Ryan’s House for Youth, Meals on Wheels, through Island Senior Resources, Snohomish Tribe and Sduhubs Cultural and Family Services.

The impact reaches beyond a day of bargain hunting. Whidbey Island Nourishes says it works to combat food insecurity on South Whidbey by supporting young people with healthy food, and a Whidbey Community Foundation profile says the nonprofit was founded in 2007, serves youth from 18 months to 18 years and currently reaches 241 students through its Weekend Meal Program. Proceeds from Trash and Treasure help sustain that kind of support, along with other local efforts tied to hunger relief, youth services, environmental stewardship and senior meals.

Donations in good condition may be dropped off at the church through Thursday, April 16, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For Freeland, the sale remains more than a rummage event. It is a yearly exchange that turns one family’s extras into another family’s necessities, then turns the rest into direct help for Island County charities.