By Abbey Reighard

Residents on the Northside can purchase used goods and make a difference in the lives of the elderly.

Little Sisters of the Poor will be holding a rummage sale from Thursday, July 17 through Saturday, July 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The sale will be held at the Little Sisters of the Poor home located in Brighton Heights, 1028 Benton Ave.

The rummage sale will consist of clothing, furniture, household items, jewelry, books and other assorted items. The Little Sisters of the Poor will also be selling baked goods.

On the last day of the sale, the Little Sisters will hold a bag sale. Rummage sale goers can purchase a bag for between $5 and $10, depending on the size of the bag, and fill the bag with goods, according to volunteer Heather Saftner.

All proceeds from the sales will benefit the elderly residents at Little Sisters of the Poor Home, the James P. Wall Home for the Aged.

Saftner said the Little Sisters typically host three rummage sales a year to raise money for the elderly living at the James P. Wall Home. This past April, the Little Sisters raised more than $17,000. Saftner added that the amount of money raised at each sale has increased every year.

Little Sisters of the Poor, founded by Saint Jeanne Jugan in 1839, was established in Pittsburgh in 1872. The organization now serves the elderly in over 30 locations around the world.

According to the Little Sisters of the Poor website, the organization strives to “serve the needs of the elderly poor,” regardless of applicants’ religion or race.

Little Sisters of the Poor accept applicants who meet the primary requirements of being over 65 and financial neediness. According to Saftner, the James P. Wall Home has 48 independent living apartments and 48 nursing care beds, for a total of 96 spots available at the home.

Saftner said the Little Sisters have “an amazing support system of volunteers” that helps to organize and sort the goods for the rummage sale.

For more information on Little Sisters of the Poor visit their website, www.littlesistersofthepoorpittsburgh.org.