Imagine a yard sale you take things to, not from.

That’s the brainchild of Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore — the shop on N.C. 5 that sells donated goods from secondhand to brand new, raising money to help people in need build simple, affordable houses.

“Income from the ReStore has funded about 50 homes for families in need here in the Sandhills,” said Ken Pierson , ReStore director for the local chapter, Habitat for Humanity of the N.C. Sandhills, in announcing a novel drive for donated items.

The new idea is what Pierson describes as a backward yard sale. On Saturday morning, Habitat’s ReStore will make camp in the Whispering Pines Food Lion parking lot on N.C. 22 near Knollwood Air Field.

From 9 a.m. to noon, Habitat will accept whatever usable items people bring to the supermarket lot. The value qualifies as a tax-deductible donation, and receipts will be made out on the spot.

Rather than make an appointment as usual for pickup — and have to be at home at that time — on this weekend people can load up the back seat, the station wagon or the family pickup and head for Food Lion leaving all the extra space saved back at home behind them.

“Girl Scout Troop 916 will have baked goods to share with donors bringing items,” Pierson said. “That troop has made tool boxes for Habitat in the past. We are preparing a kit — not done yet, but we are working on it — to help other Scout or youth groups who would like to help support Habitat’s mission but are under the age of 16 (too young to swing hammers at home sites). It can be done at churches, etc.”

Pierson’s motto “every dollar is a pound of nails” has taken form over the years in lot and lots of nails, all pounded one at a time by future homeowners and proud volunteers.

Another side benefit from Habitat’s ReStore comes in the form of millions of pounds of no-longer-needed things that donors don’t miss and are glad to be rid of. Most of these things find new owners delighted by prices they paid — saving them money and everybody the environmental cost of disposal.

“At the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, we have diverted 7,200,000 pounds from the landfills,” Pierson said.

Regularly, Habitat’s trucks and workers go out across the area collecting donated furniture, fixtures and appliances, from freezers, refrigerators and ranges to microwaves and mangles. Anything in usable condition that isn’t torn or scratched up past the point of resale is welcome.

“Cleaning out the house this season?” Pierson asked. “Please consider donating unwanted furniture, fixtures, appliances, computers and building supplies to the ReStore.”

He and a team of volunteers — along with Girl Scouts bearing cookies and cakes — will be waiting by the trucks that Saturday for whatever surprises come their way.

They don’t expect bay window units or double-door freezers, but Habitat won’t turn something down just because it is too big to truck over to the reverse yard sale.

“We can also come to your home to pick up any items too difficult to transport,” Pierson said. “Just call Amie at (910) 949-72901.”

The ReStore is open Tuesday through Saturday at 2268 N.C. 5, Aberdeen.

Contact John Chappell at jfchappell@gmail.com.