News

St. Mary's bazaar doubles as food drive

By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
Friday, March 14, 2008 10:35 AM EDT

NILES - If you haven't been to the St. Mary's Spring Bazaar in some time, or haven't been at all, make this your year to go.

From left, Candace Skalla, chairperson for the St. Mary's Spring Bazaar and Food Drive and Christian Service Center volunteer Alma Bierwagon are hoping this weekend's annual bazaar is another successful event. There is no entry fee, but non-perishable food items will be appreciated.

The Spring Bazaar and Food Drive will take place this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature a wide variety of homemade arts and crafts. To sum it up, it's similar to the arts and crafts booths at local fairgrounds, only it's indoors and proceeds help the St. Mary's Christian Service Center. And there are some very unique items to purchase.

Candace Skalla, chairperson of the bazaar, said the annual event features very gifted and talented artists and crafters of all ages.

"It doesn't matter what age the artists are, everything has its own unique touch," Skalla said.

Some items shoppers can plan on seeing will include homemade soaps and lotions, candles, clothing, handbags, dolls, baskets, jewelry, bird feeders, dog treats and even delicious baked goods. And that's not all, according to Skalla, the St. Mary's gym will be filled with vendors, even some who have appeared at the Niles French Market in the past.

"It's free of charge to enter and there is no parking fee. The only thing we ask is that people bring a non-perishable food item for the food pantry," Skalla said.

It is unknown when the St. Mary's Bazaar started, but both Skalla and long-time Christian Center volunteer Alma Bierwagon said it has been around for quite some time.

As for the food pantry, Skalla explained that Sister Mary Delora started the pantry in 1979, which was then housed in the basement of the St. Mary's convent.

In 1988, St. Mary's parishioners built a new home for the pantry, at 322 Clay St., located right behind the church, at 217 S. Lincoln St., where it still operates today.

In time, members of the church and organizers of the bazaar decided the annual event would be a great fundraising operation for Niles families in need.

"We have a lot of families in Niles who need assistance. In fact, in January we had a record breaking month with a total of 179 client families served," Skalla said.

"We serve many single mothers and also a large number of newly unemployed clients, as well as the elderly. Our main service is food supply, but when funds are available we also assist the needy with utility shut-offs and prescription aid," Skalla said.

Not only can you purchase a lot of great items at the bazaar this weekend, but with donations of food for the pantry, families in the area will be receiving much needed assistance.

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