There’s something slightly ignoble about re-gifting.

Sure, we might give away something that was especially intended for us. But we wrap and deliver the present with a hint of indignity, even if only we know its origin.

Since it’s modest beginnings 30 years ago, though, First Baptist Church of Huntersville’s World Hunger Day has redefined the very notion of re-gifting. Through its highly anticipated annual yard sale, FBC has raised more than $782,000 for hunger-fighting efforts locally and around the world. But the influence of World Hunger Day transcends money, and even the food it buys.

Items donated then sold over three decades of World Hunger Days have clothed families, furnished houses and stocked toy boxes.

“I’m one of the first ones there every year,” says one regular World Hunger Day shopper. “I’m a single mom and don’t make much money, but I can buy my kids some nice clothes and other things they need that I can’t buy anywhere else. World Hunger Day is one of the highlights of my whole year.”

She’ll be there before dawn on Saturday, along with scores of other shoppers, waiting for the Rev. Doug Danner, FBC’s pastor, to bless the day and declare the sale open.

FBC volunteers have worked all summer collecting and sorting donated items, which they then packed tightly in three tractor trailers parked behind the church on Old Statesville Road. They’ll haul out the clothing, furniture, appliances, electronics and other merchandise Friday night and organize it all by categories throughout the church campus.

The yard sale begins at 7 a.m. Saturday and runs until 1 p.m., accompanied by a bake sale, silent auction, craft sale, barbecue and live music.

“A new feature this year will be a Resource Fair to provide families with information on the health and human service agencies and resources in the north Mecklenburg area,” adds World Hunger Day spokeswoman Jerri Haigler. “The agencies confirmed at this time include Solomon House, Lake Norman Free Medical Clinic, Ada Jenkins Center, Angels and Sparrows Soup Kitchen, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ Parent University, Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way/211 Call Center, and The Bin. We invited others so there may be more.”

Funds raised at past World Hunger Days have supported the Huntersville Food Pantry, Angels and Sparrows Soup Kitchen, Southern Baptist World Hunger Relief Funds, and an orphanage in Haiti.

FBC also has used proceeds to address crisis situations occurring at the time of the World Hunger Day, including support for the employees of Cannon Mills after the company shuttered its operations in Kannapolis, and victims of floods in Florida and Hurricane Katrina.