It's that time of year again when hundreds of nonprofit organizations race to participate in the semiannual Belk Charity Sale on Saturday, Nov. 5.

The four-hour shopping sale, which runs from from 6-10 a.m., directly benefits nonprofit charities and schools, allowing them to keep 100 perent of each $5 ticket sold, while providing shoppers an opportunity to save 20 to 70 percent off purchases that day on seldom discounted merchandise.

"Belk is committed to being involved in our communities and supporting causes important to our customers," said Jessica Graham, vice president, communications and community relations at Belk. "Each Belk Charity Sale offers us the opportunity to reach thousands of nonprofits across our footprint and to help them raise much needed funds."

Belk Charity Sale tickets are available now to participating nonprofit organizations for sale in advance of the event.

There is no limit to the number of tickets charities can sell or to the amount of money they can raise. Belk provides tickets and informational materials at no cost to each participating organization.

Beginning this Friday, tickets can also be purchased at Belk stores, with all revenues from in-store ticket sales equally divided among participating nonprofits and schools at each local store. On the morning of the Belk Charity Sale, participating nonprofits and schools at each Belk location will register to win one of three $1,000 donations from Belk.

In 2010, Belk's Charity Sale raised more than $9.5 million for hundreds of participating charitable organizations.

Charity representatives interested in taking part in this one-of-a-kind fundraising event should contact their local Belk store manager for more information.