Belk’s Charity Sale on Saturday, April 16, from 6 to 10 a.m., will benefit local charities, schools and nonprofit organizations, a company news release stated.

Belk’s previous Charity Sale, held on Nov. 6, 2010, raised more than $4.75 million for hundreds of participating nonprofit organizations throughout the company’s 16-state market.

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 a $5 donation, customers will receive a ticket admitting them to the Charity Sale and entitling them to merchandise discounts ranging from 20 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 kids 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, and 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.