What started as items sold on a table at the Christmas Tree Lane Bazaar at the Kingsway-Lambton United Church 59 years ago has now blossomed into a community flea market that is one of the most well-known events in Toronto. Hosted by the Etobicoke church on the last Saturday of every April, this year the event was held on Saturday April 29th, with items for sale in the church’s gymnasium, library, nursery and outside.
These items are donated by members of the church’s local community and the market is something that everyone in the area looks forward to attending every year. “Crowds typically line up well before the 8 am start, even braving the rain and cold as they did this year,” said Martha MacGray, Flea Market Committee Member. Priscilla Knight, a long-time coordinator of the Flea Market and member of the founding and still sponsoring, United Church Women (UCW) added that, “The flea market is a real special time to come together, to sit, work and talk to people. We have fun together.”
The UCW also plays a crucial role in coordinating the event and allocating some of the proceeds to local charities. This year, as a new charity partner, they decided to donate their left-over goods to The Salvation Army Thrift Store as a suggestion of a community member. A total of 33 pallets, which translates to two truckloads of goods, including paintings, housewares, bedding linens, clothing, toys and more, were donated to our Organization!
Martha also explained that another benefit to donating to us, is how our efforts in environmental stewardship align with the church’s ideals of keeping items out of landfills. Our Impact Report which can be accessed here, really resonated with them as well, as we are one of Canada’s largest textile collectors and a leader in textile diversion in the charitable sector.
We love innovative ideas and initiatives like these and appreciate our partnership with the UCW and Kingsway-Lambton United Church. Together, we are caring for our communities and the planet we share.
Join us in making a meaningful impact!
Inspired by the generosity of Kingsway-Lambton United Church, we invite other organizations to follow their lead and donate to us. Learn more here.