BALLARAT Bahai's children have been looking at toys that have meant something special to them in the hope these toys will spark joy for others.
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The children have teamed up with new fashion offering Vreeland Vintage for a big garage sale on Saturday as part of Ayyam-i-Ha, the Baha'i festival of giving.
They will collect all money raised and go shopping together to buy items for Ballarat Soup Bus.
Garage Sale with a Purpose organiser Jess Zadeh said while the festival involved gifts and celebratory meals, this was also about the children recognising a chance to give back to their community.
"They've been looking forward to this so much. They've been looking through their stuff and thinking what is special to me and donating it with the aim it might be special to others," Ms Zadeh said.
"They've gone through their toys and their clothes. There will also be household items and pop-up vintage so there will be a whole range of things."
Ayyam-i-Ha comes before a period of 19 days' fasting and reflection in which the children will visit Ballarat Soup Bus to learn about its role and service to helping the community's most needy.
The children's group led a back to school appeal last year as a way to give back in Ayyam-i-Ha.
Ballarat Soup Bus has been based on JB Camerons' site in Armstrong Street for about 18 months and remained operational, serving meals five nights a week, throughout pandemic lockdowns.
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A renovated second Soup Bus is set to roll out in Sebastopol this year. Upgrade works on the bus started last year but stalled amid the pandemic. While plans for a third bus in Wendouree remain underway.
The Soup Bus had also been inundated with grocery needs at its storage facility in Ballarat East during the pandemic. Ms Zadeh encouraged people to get along to the garage sale and find a bargain to help replenish Soup Bus supplies.
Baha'i garage sale is at 503 Doveton Street North, Soldiers Hill, on Saturday from 9am to noon.
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