DOWAGIAC — Dowagiac residents and visitors will be rummaging through rooms of the First United Methodist Church this weekend looking for used and donated items.

The Dowagiac First United Methodist Women’s group at the Church will host its second Rummage and Bake Sale of the year from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, at First United Methodist Church, 326 N. Lowe St., Dowagiac.

Each year, the group votes on who the money will be distributed to, said event organizer Darlene Trussell. This year’s proceeds will go to eight different ministries including ACTION Ministries, United Methodist Community House, Hospice of Cass County, Court-appointed Special Advocates, Cass County Cancer Service for children, Domestic and Sexual Abuse- the local chapter in Dowagiac, Helping Hands of Cass County and The Salvation Army.

“We have two sales a year,” Trussell said. “The first one we voted on and we had made over $1,500 that went to the church for whatever the church needed. This sale goes to the missions, and then we have a Christmas sale.”

The rummage sale on Saturday will feature a $4 bag sale. When shoppers buy two bags, they will get the third bag for free. Special items will also be half-priced, Trussell said.

“We are really excited about it, because so many people have donated to us,” Trussell said. “The items are all good, used and new. It’s a worthwhile fundraiser.”

Despite hosting a rummage sale a few months prior, the donations have been coming from all over, Trussell said.

“It’s a lot of preparation, but we are blessed with all the help we get,” she said. “Not only from the women’s group, but we also get the men’s group helping and the pastor.”

Visitors come from all over when the word gets out about the Church’s rummage and bake sale, Tressell said.

“Our bake sale is pretty great,” she said. “We have all homemade items and a good variety. We try to keep everything in good condition until we sell it.”