WRIGHTSBORO, N.C. — Many families worry about costs associated with sending kids back to school. One Everyday Hero tries to ease that stress with free yard sales.

  What You Need To Know

• In association with the Wrightsboro United Methodist Church Food Pantry, resident Joyce Parker holds a giant free yard sale before school starts and smaller ones every Wednesday 

• The big yard sale put together back to school kits for the local orphanage

• The next event is the Christmas Extravaganza on the first Saturday in December

Joyce Parker is always thinking of ways to help others. For the last 20 years, she’s organized a free back to school yard sale with the help of the Wrightsboro United Methodist Church.

After a career in teaching, she knows the difficulties that back-to-school can bring.

“Parents who are sending their kids back to school, and they’ve had to buy paper and pencil, some of it which we have furnished, but it’s mostly for them to get school clothes,” Parker said.

With everything from school supplies to clothes and books, Joyce and her church want to make sure families have what they need.

“This is an expensive, little dress. And for someone that’s able to get it absolutely free is a blessing,” Parker said.

Joyce’s favorite part is the collection of books families get to take home.

“School supplies are expensive. And a lot of kids, believe it or not, don’t have access to books at home,” Parker said.

Being able to see the smiles on each parent and child’s face that comes through these yard sales means everything to Parker. 

“It makes me feel incredible, very, very grateful that,” Parker said.