Hordes of shoppers looking for some of the best deals in Gainesville will travel downtown this week to the Georgia Mountains Center.

“We have extreme discounts,” said Sabrina Sanderson, a Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County volunteer.

The Junior League Harvest Thrift Sale begins 6-9 p.m. Thursday with a preview party and continues 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The annual sale includes a hodgepodge of donated items, including electronics, Christmas decorations and baby items.

As the doors open, Sanderson said there is usually a “stampede down the hallway.” Last year, she said, a record number of people came to browse for low-priced items.

“I think it’s a direct reflection of the economy,” Sanderson said. “People can’t spend money on new stuff like they used to.”

Funds raised from the sale go back into the community to support local nonprofit agencies through Junior League. In recent years, the sale has raised as much as $20,000. Organizations supported by Junior League include the Edmondson-Telford Center for Children, the Boys and Girls Clubs and Challenged Child and Friends, just to name a few.

A few of the penny-pinching finds include $5 to $10 computer monitors, housewares for $2 to $15 and a new or slightly used section where everything is priced less than $25. Sanderson said people also can expect to see a large selection of clothing and accessories for men, women and children.

Sanderson said most of the sizable items include furniture. The Junior League is reserving many of the larger donations for the annual charity ball in December.

“People can fill out their whole house,” she said.

Sanderson said the sale is also a place for one-of-a-kind items. Some of the more unusual donations include a box of wigs and a glow light brain.

“We also had a miniature toilet seat for a kids bathroom,” she said.

In the last half hour of the sale Saturday, Sanderson said the Junior League plans to continue the $5 sale tradition.

Shoppers race for boxes placed on the floor and can fill them up with any item for a payment of $5.

“Some people run with their arms down the table for items,” Sanderson said.

The Junior League collects goods for the thrift sale all year and will continue to accept donations until Wednesday.