Sparta The World Mission Gift Shop at the Sparta United Methodist Church will be hosting a special benefit to help relieve hunger in Sussex County, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28. Located at Route 517 and Sparta Avenue, the shop has previously donated monies to Samaritan Inn, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Hurricane Katrina Relief and Tsunami Relief through the Church’s Missions Committee. Nancy VanderVeen, coordinator of the shop, explains, “We try to touch the lives of people in all corners of the world, including those in our area. Every purchase helps. Currently, the local food pantries and certificate programs are struggling to keep up with demand, frequently running out of supplies before reaching all the families in need each month.” The shop features gourmet coffees, teas and chocolates, handcrafted jewelry, purses and totes, holiday items, pottery, home furnishings, clothing accessories and toys made by artisans around the world. All merchandise is purchased through fair trade organizations such as Ten Thousand Villages and A Greater Gift, ensuring fair wages and no child labor or worker exploitation. Proceeds will go directly to aid Manna House, the Harvest House Luncheon Program, the Sparta Ecumenical Food Pantry, the church Food Certificate program and Harvest Home Foods. Regular store hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.