CHARLOTTE – Belk’s Charity Sale on November 3, from 6 to 10 a.m., will benefit local charities, schools and nonprofit organizations throughout the company’s 16-state market area. Belk’s Charity Sale last year raised more than $5 million for hundreds of participating nonprofit organizations.

The four-hour, in-store shopping event allows 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 75 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.

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 Friday, October 26, tickets may also 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 Fall Charity Sale 2012, contact the local Belk store or go online to www.belk.com/charitysale.