MANCHESTER — Second Congregational Church is hosting its annual winter fundraiser and shopping event this Saturday, giving visitors a chance to get all their holiday shopping done in one place.
The church’s “Mall in the Hall and Santa’s Workshop” event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16. According to organizers, there will be 20 vendors and crafters at this year’s holiday fair, selling items that could make for the perfect holiday gift.
“You can get all of your holiday shopping done in one comfortable place,” said Louise Leitao, a member of the church who helps organize the event.
Vendors at this year’s Mall in the Hall include companies like Avon, Thirty-One, Pampered Chef, Lu La Roe, Mary Kay, Rada Cutlery, and several more. Food and beverages will be provided for visitors to enjoy while they browse the several vendors and craft booths.
While shopping is a major part of this weekend’s event, its purpose goes above and beyond simply buying holiday gifts for loved ones.
Leitao said a portion of revenue raised during the holiday fair will go to benefit the Second Congregational Church Food Pantry, which distributes food to Manchester and Bolton residents in need every Friday.
“The fair is a fun time, but we also want it to serve a purpose,” Leitao said of the upcoming event.
Admission to the holiday fair is free, but visitors are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the pantry in place off paying admission.
Second Congregational Church’s food pantry is supported by Foodshare and is unaffiliated with the Manchester Area Conferences of Churches’ community kitchen and food pantry. Leitao said that the MACC does great work, but the church’s pantry serves a different clientele and does need its own support via donations.
“We are a really hard-working pantry, because the need to help people always grows,” Leitao said.
