Waiting for some last-minute deals for back-to-school shopping? The bargains are closer than you think.

Bedford’s Get Real foundation will host its fifth annual Barn Sale Bazaar from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, and Sunday, Aug. 26, at 130 New Boston Road in Bedford.

“I’m just a mom who is supporting her kids,” said Get Real Foundation member Donna Rodanas. “My two children, Vanessa and Rex, started the Get Real Foundation when they were in high school because they were having a hard time completing their community service hours. They wanted to start a foundation that directly impacts the hungry and homeless in our Greater Bedford and Manchester communities.”

According to the Get Real Foundation website, getreal
foundation.synthasite.com, “The Get Real group is organizing to encourage thought, action and creativity through hands-on projects.” All of the proceeds from the yard sale will benefit local charities such as Families in Transition, an organization that helps the homeless in greater Manchester and Concord.

“Other projects that we work on is using donated field space, in Bedford, to grow food for the local hungry,” Rodanas said. “I’m not sure of the exact numbers, but somewhere upward of about 1,000 people and 800 children in the Manchester area are registered as homeless.”

Vanessa and Rex Rodanas attended the Derryfield School in Manchester and now attend Cornell University. According to Donna Rodanas, most of the volunteers for the Get Real Foundation are college and high school students who are looking to complete their community service hours.

“We are currently looking for new leaders in the Get Real Foundation,” Rodanas said. “We are looking for local high school or college students who are looking to get involved with the foundation. This could be a great opportunity for a senior project, or if you enjoy networking with other agencies, are computer-savvy, and like farming and distribution, this could be a great fit for you.”

Costumes, houseware, knickknacks, lamps, movies, sculptures, silk flowers, sports items, tools, toys, rugs and school supplies are just some of the items shoppers can expect at the acre-long yard sale.

“There will be back-to-school supplies for all ages,” Rodanas said. “We will have bed frames, dressers, dishes, dining room sets for college students looking to move into an apartment, as well as textbooks, pens, markers, backpacks, notebooks and more.”

According to Rodanas, the Get Real Foundation has been collecting merchandise for the yard sale year-round from a variety of different organizations and general donations.

“This event is not a huge money-maker but a community-
builder,” Rodanas said. “This is our third year at New Boston Road. There is no entry fee, and people can come at their own leisure.”

Katelyn Dobbs can be reached at 594-6549 or kdobbs@nashuatelegraph.com.