Church holds unconventional garage sale

HUDSONVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) - Under the big tent outside Daybreak Community Church, the clutter from dozens of church members' homes has a new mission -- the result of a series of sermons by Lead Pastor Wes Dupin.

"Let's get rid of the stuff that you don't need anymore," Dupin said. "Simplify your life."

And get closer to God.

That spiritual message has turned the church garage sale into a way to help those in need.

The tent is open to anyone -- not only to drop off items, but to pick up things they might need, with no charge and no questions asked.

"I think that, here are people coming into this tent that have needs," said Dupin, who said he realizes some of what is being taken will be sold.

"We realize some of these things have gone straight to Craigslist ," he said. "We says, if it's helping you, that's great.

"Things are tight. The economy is tight. People have lost their jobs, or they've been reduced in their salaries, and I think there's some things here that can help."

Daybreak's garage sale is just one example of a growing number of community groups that have embraced the idea of sharing.

Grand Rapids-based Really Really Free Market promotes sharing everything, from goods to services. It has its own Facebook page.

Back at Daybreak's big tent, everything that doesn't get taken locally is loaded on a trailer for a church in Benton Harbor.

"We're helping them start this resale low-cost store, located in the old Sears building," Dupin said.