Belk’s Charity Sale from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 16 will benefit local charities, schools and nonprofit organizations throughout the company’s 16-state market area.

Belk’s previous Charity Sale, held Nov. 6, 2010, raised more than $4.75 million for hundreds of participating nonprofit organizations.

The four-hour, in-store shopping event provides a chance for customers to support worthwhile charities and take advantage of special discounts on purchases made during the event. In exchange for $5 donations, customers will receive tickets admitting them to the Charity Sale and entitling them to merchandise discounts ranging from 20 percent to 70 percent on items throughout the store. Special savings will be offered on rarely discounted designer brands and include an extra 25 percent off in the dresses, handbags, shoes and children’s departments and up to 60 percent off in fine jewelry. Customers who purchase tickets will receive $5 off their first purchase of $5 or more at the event. Belk Rewards cardholders will receive double rewards points, and Belk Elite cardholders triple rewards points, for card purchases.

On the morning of the event, the first 100 customers in each store will receive a free Belk gift card, and three lucky winners company-wide will receive a gift card valued at $1,000. In addition, all participating charities and schools will be automatically registered to win one of three $1,000 donations from Belk in a company-wide drawing.

Participating local charities will sell the Charity Sale tickets in advance of the event, and all proceeds from each $5 ticket will be retained by the charity. Beginning April 8, tickets also may be purchased at Belk stores with all in-store ticket sale donations divided among the participating charities and schools in each location.

For more information about Belk’s Charity Sale, contact your local Belk store by visiting http://www.belk.com/AST/Misc/Belk_Stores/Store_Locator.jsp or go to http://www.belk.com/charitysale.