Over Memorial Day weekend, Hilary Smith and her family had a yard sale at their home. Inspired by the response from the community, Smith had an idea.

"Our yard sale went so well, I thought, 'Let's do something for the church. It's an easy fundraiser,'" recalled Smith, a member of Historic Salem United Church of Christ in Columbia.

The church will hold an indoor yard sale and bake sale on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the social hall, located at the rear of the church building, 324 Walnut St., Columbia.

"We will have new and used items for sale," Smith said. "We'll have lots of new school supplies for purchase." School supplies will include backpacks, notebooks, pens and markers.

A variety of other items will be for sale from members of the congregation and friends who paid a fee to set up a table. "We'll have toys, household items, books," Smith stated. "We'll have clothes, especially lots of girls' clothing." Church furniture will also be for sale.

Baked goods, including homemade sticky buns, will be available for purchase, as well as hot dogs and sauerkraut and a variety of drinks.

Proceeds from the event will be used for the church's property campaign. "Our goal is to raise $100,000 by the end of 2023," Smith said. Needs at the church include replacing the roof on the social hall and redoing the parking lot. Additional fundraisers for the campaign have included a sub sale and the sale of peanut butter eggs at Easter.

Holding an indoor yard sale is not new to Historic Salem United Church of Christ, Smith said, noting that the church used to hold events like this one years ago. "It's been a while since we've done one," she remarked. "We're hoping it's a good fundraiser for us."

She invites everyone to come to the sale, adding, "There will be lots of items to choose from and a nice variety. We'll have something for people of all ages."

Salem United Church of Christ holds services on Sundays at 10:15 a.m. Sunday school is offered for people ages 3 to 18 during the service on the last Sunday of the month.