The Pembina Valley Pregnancy Care Centre is hosting a free garage sale Thursday, May 15, as part of “Pay It Forward May,” a month dedicated to kindness and community support.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Centre’s Winkler location at 500 Main Street will open its doors — or set up outside, weather permitting — for anyone needing baby and toddler clothing. The items, mostly for ages 0 to 2, have all been donated by local families to help local families.
An act of compassion
Executive Director Linda Marek says the event is a practical and compassionate way to help young parents who may be struggling with the costs of raising a child — especially during times of high inflation.
“Life is expensive. Maybe you’re doing laundry every day because you only have a few sleepers. Or maybe you’re new to the country, or just found out a baby is on the way. Whatever the situation, we want to help,” Marek says.
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Baby clothing donations welcome
The idea came from a combination of generosity and practicality: a large influx of baby clothing donations left the centre without enough storage space. Instead of boxing items away, Marek says it felt right to “pay it forward” and share the abundance with the community. She also says that more donations are always welcome.
Everything at the event is free. There will also be popcorn, a prize draw, and a warm invitation to anyone in the community — no referral or past connection to the centre required.
Meeting needs and building community
The centre hopes the event not only meets immediate needs but also builds community and encourages others to pay it forward in small ways — whether by sharing clothing down the line, making treats for a neighbour, or simply holding a door open.
Free and confidential services
While this garage sale is just one initiative, Marek reminds the public that the Pembina Valley Pregnancy Care Centre offers a wide range of free and confidential services year-round. These include pregnancy tests, information on pregnancy options, grief and loss support, and both online and in-person prenatal education.
“We celebrate children as a blessing,” says Marek. “But we also recognize the real challenges that come with parenting. This is one way we can help ease the burden.”
To make a donation, or for more information on the Pembina Valley Pregnancy Care Centre, visit pvpcc.com.