Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church hosting expanded Harvest Fair by appointment

Organizers of the Harvest Fair at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church have reinvented the fundraiser to fit covid-19 restrictions and still help meet what they call an overwhelming need in the community.

“We have been limited about what we could do but we felt very strongly that there were huge needs in the community this year, and more than ever we should try to do something to raise money for local food banks, libraries and women and children’s health organizations,” volunteer Carol Huff said.

Instead of one big weekend, they will have rolling sales through mid-December.

A much-anticipated and normally well-attended sale, this year it will be by appointment only and will run through Dec. 12 in the church basement, off Fox Chapel Road. Masks are required.

“We encourage people to shop early and shop often,” volunteer Emy Boag said.

“What was here five weeks ago isn’t necessarily what’s here now, and what’s here today won’t necessarily be here in five weeks.”

Items such as furniture, glassware, linens, sports equipment, décor and books are on display for shoppers. Appointments are available 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The Harvest Fair is one of the church’s most significant fundraisers, bringing in more than $100,000 in most years for groups such as the St. Juan Diego food pantry, Hosanna Industries and East Liberty Family Health Center.

A portion of the money is sent overseas to missions in Haiti and Thailand.

This isn’t the first time organizers have had to shuffle in order to pull off the fundraiser. In 2018, it took new shape because of summer flooding that devastated the church’s sale area and ruined collections in waiting. The sale still thrived, bringing in $80,000.

This year, the sale committee began hesitantly collecting donations but found “that the community was, as always, very generous,” Huff said.

“We have almost all of the things we normally sell — furniture, household goods, books, jewelry, vintage treasures, linens, toys and Steelers/Pirates/Penguins items,” she said.

The appointment-only shopping gives people time to walk slowly and carefully look over items, rather than racing between the dozen sale rooms, she said.

And, shoppers appear to appreciate the new safety parameters, Boag said.

“People seem to be embracing it. They like the chance to walk through and browse privately,” she said.

Huff said the committee is seeking donations through Dec. 1 that include lamps, artwork, rugs, books, scarves and vintage items.

Items should be new or gently used.

The church is at 384 Fox Chapel Road but items should be taken to the hall entrance off Springhouse Lane in the rear of the church.

For appointments to shop, call 412-398-0222.