Belk Inc. raised more than $4 million for hundreds of local charities, schools and nonprofit organizations located throughout the company's 16-state market area through its semi-annual Belk Charity Sale.

"Belk is honored to be able to support and give back to its communities each season through the charity sale," said Tim Belk, chairman and CEO of Belk, Inc. "We want to thank everyone who participated in the Charity Sale, especially during this difficult economic time. It was inspiring to see that donations resulted in more than $4 million to benefit nonprofit organizations throughout 16 states."

In return for a $5 donation, customers received a ticket admitting them to the charity sale Nov. 7 and entitling them to merchandise discounts ranging from 20 to 50 percent on Belk purchases. Customers also received $5 off their first purchase of $5 or more at the event.

Participating local charities sold tickets in advance of the event, with proceeds from each $5 ticket sold retained by the charity. Proceeds from tickets sold at Belk stores prior to and during the event were divided among the participating charities and schools in each location.

The Charity Sale supported nonprofits such as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Boy Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity, Girl Scout troops, Ronald McDonald House Charities, animal rescue organizations, local school athletic and scholastic organizations and numerous local churches.

Belk's next Charity Sale is slated for Saturday, May 1.

Also this fall, Belk Inc. raised more than $400,000 to promote breast cancer awareness and support research initiatives. These efforts included companywide store events that generated customer donations of more than $353,000 to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and a separate in-store event, which netted $19,000 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama.