Garage Sale Committee
Committee Head: Brad Gabbert
Email: bradleygabbert@gmail.com
Selling Food at the Garage Sale? You must have a Temporary Food Permit from the Winnebago County Health Department.
The Winnebago County Health Department has rules about selling food in connection with the Garage Sale. The Health Department has found several in violation of this rule during prior sales.
A permit purchased at least two weeks before the Garage Sale should cost about $35. Permit prices increase if the application is submitted later than that. Please contact the Health Department to check pricing and other details.
Prepackaged/sealed items are likely allowed, but please check with the Health Department. For more information, call the Winnebago County Health Department's Division of Environmental Health at 815.720.4000.
Garage Sale Leftovers? Donate them.
Have things leftover from the garage sale? Here are some donation suggestions:
Mom's Angels, 815.312.1533
Mom's Angels will pick up your leftovers from the garage sale if you place them with a "Mom's Angels" sign near your driveway or alley garage. They will start driving through the neighborhood around 4:30-5 p.m. You can call them to schedule pickup for another day.
Victory Outreach, 815.961.8583
Special need for furniture, appliances, dishes and general household items. They will pick up at your home.
St. Elizabeth’s Center, 815.965.6993
Drop off clothing and household items at 1505 S. Main St. near Heath and Main Street door.
Carpenter’s Place, 815.964.4105
Drop off men's clothing and household items at 1149 Railroad Ave., near Benson Stone on 11th Street.
Computers for Schools, 815.316.4580
Drop off computers (Pentiums 3 or 4 or better), printers, fax machines and scanners 8:30-11:30 am. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7200 Clinton Ave., Loves Park across from Post Office
WAVE, 815.544.1866
Cell phones programmed to 911; ask about other items. Tax receipts given.
Rock River Reclamation, 3333 Kishwaukee at Sandy Hollow, 815.387.7400
Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday
They take paint, batteries and flourescent bulbs. Call for other items.
ReStore: Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity, 7141 Harrison Ave., 815.713.3184
Call anytime for info or to donate materials. Habitat ReStore are retail outlets where quality used and surplus building materials are sold at a fraction of normal prices. Proceeds from ReStores help local affiliates. You can donate and purchase materials at ReStore.
Additional info and helpful hints
Shoppers are not allowed to drive down the alleys during the sale. If you sell large items, be prepared to give them a note with your address and ask them to return for pickup after 5 p.m.
Please display your house address on your garage if your sale is in the alley. This helps customers find you using the Grove's sale list. It also can be a lifesaver if police or emergency responders need to find the address.
Parking rules will be enforced strictly during the sale. One year, because cars were parked too close to an alley entrance, an ambulance could not get to a shopper who collapsed. Since, safety has been a big concern to fire and police.
Be ready for early birds. Shoppers start early, often showing up before 8 a.m.