Belk department stores will host a charity sale Nov. 7 to benefit local charities, schools and nonprofit organizations.

Participating local charities will sell charity sale tickets in advance for $5 apiece.

The proceeds from each ticket sold will be kept by the charity. Beginning Oct. 30, tickets can also be purchased at Belk stores, and the proceeds from those tickets will be divided among participating charities and schools, according to a Belk press release.

The tickets will allow buyers to get into the special charity sale, which will feature merchandise discounts of 15 to 50 percent throughout the store.

Belk spokesperson Genevieve Douglass said the sale raises millions for nonprofits.

“This is the Belk Charity Sale’s third year,” Douglass said. “The charity sale, held semi-annually since Fall 2007, has raised an excess of $14 million for participating nonprofit organizations throughout the Southeast.”

The tickets will allow buyers to get into the special charity sale Nov. 7, which will feature merchandise discounts of 15 to 50 percent throughout the store. The sale will be from 6-10 a.m.

Communications manager Darrell Williams said the charity sale presents a win-win situation for customers as well as for charities.

“Today’s tough economic times present a challenge to customers’ pocketbooks and also create financial difficulties for deserving non-profit organizations,” he said. “The Belk charity sale is designed to help on both counts.”

Customers participating will also have the chance to register for one of three $1,000 Belk shopping sprees, and participating charities and schools will be registered to win a $1,000 donation.

Belk has a location in Alabaster. For more information, contact the Alabaster store at 685-9045.