Belk Fall Charity Sale on November 15 Benefits Local Charities and Schools.

Spring Charity Sale raised more than $4 million for hundreds of nonprofits

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Belk's Fall Charity Sale on November 15, 2008, will once again benefit local charities, schools and nonprofit organizations throughout the company's 16-state market area. Belk's previous Charity Sale, held May 3, 2008, raised more than $4 million for hundreds of participating nonprofit organizations.

The four-hour, in-store shopping event offers an excellent fundraising opportunity for participating organizations and a chance for customers to support worthwhile charities and take advantage of special discounts on purchases made during the event.

In return for a $5 donation, customers receive a ticket admitting them to the Charity Sale on November 15 from 6 to 10 a.m. and entitling them to merchandise discounts ranging from 20 to 50 percent on purchases throughout the store (excluding cosmetics and fragrances). Customers also receive $5 off their first purchase of $5 or more at the event, and Belk cardholders will receive double points for card purchases.

Participating local charities will sell the Charity Sale tickets in advance of the event and the proceeds from each $5 ticket will be retained by the charity. Beginning Friday, November 7, tickets may also be purchased at the store with all donations divided among the participating charities and schools. There is no limit to the number of tickets charities can sell, and no limit to the amount of money that can be raised. Belk provides tickets and collateral material at no cost to the participating nonprofit organizations.

In addition, participating customers can register to win one of four $1,000 Belk shopping sprees, and all participating charities and schools will automatically be registered to win a $1,000 donation (a total of four will be awarded). The following nonprofit organizations participated in the Spring 2008 Charity Sale and won a $1,000 donation: the American Veterans Ladies Auxiliary Post 316 of Rockingham, N.C.; the American Red Cross of Huntsville, Ala.; the AIDS Response Effort of Winchester, Va.; and the Eastern Shore Literacy Council of Fairhope, Ala.

Charity representatives interested in taking part in this one-of-a-kind fundraising event should contact their local Belk store manager for more information. In order to participate in the Belk Charity Sale, organizations must have an IRS 501(c)(3) designation.

About Belk, Inc.

Based in Charlotte, N.C., Belk, Inc. (www.belk.com) is the largest privately owned department store company in the United States, with 307 stores in 16 Southern states. The company was founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk in Monroe, N.C., and is in the third generation of Belk family leadership.