The first-ever Hampden Meadows Yard Sale and Pantry Clean Out Day was held Saturday, and deemed an overwhelming success.

The event was sponsored by Susan Kostas, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker’s Kostas and Company. Nearly two dozen residents signed up to host a yard sale at their home, and also helped collect non-perishable food items. The donations were later given to East Bay Food Pantry.

“I created and sponsored this event with the hunch that homeowners in Barrington were ready to participate in something that 'felt normal', to visit with others — their neighbors and yard sale shoppers — and to support a local nonprofit,” wrote Ms. Kostas in a recent email to the Times. “We chose the East Bay Food Pantry as we learned through Covid that food insecurity is more prevalent than ever, and the Pantry supports people through the whole of the East Bay.”

Kostas and Company provided the marketing and publicity for the yard sales, directional signs, a map for visiting “yard sales” and food donation collection boxes. 

“Hundreds and hundreds of shoppers came from all over the area! Many shoppers also brought can goods which was really heartwarming,” Ms. Kostas wrote.

The event was so successful, in fact, that organizers are now considering hosting the Yard Sale and Pantry Clean Out Day twice a year. Ms. Kostas said that while this first event was focused on the Hampden Meadows neighborhood in Barrington, they are hoping to expand it to the rest of the town this fall. 

“Imagine the impact of a whole town Pantry Clean Out!”