In the few months since South Coast Sporting Consignment opened in East Wareham, brothers Gary and Doug Powers have made some last-minute saves for parents.

Once, a parent and child showed up about an hour before the kid's first soccer practice. And they didn't have any gear.

They pieced together the necessary equipment -- even shoes and shin guards  -- and were ready to go with time to spare.

"I thought they were baseball shin pads," Doug admitted. "But, I said, 'They're soccer now! They fit in your socks!'"

Gary shook his head with a laugh, saying, "That's not the first time that's happened."

Gary and Doug operate Abbey Glass in the same Tyler Avenue building. Gary was inspired to start the consignment shop when space recently became available because he knows first-hand how pricey youth sports can be for parents.

Gary played youth hockey as a kid. He volunteered with Canal Youth Hockey before his son could even skate, and now, his son plays competitive youth hockey.

"Hockey is the biggest thing" as far as costs go in youth sports, Gary explained. To get a player the gear he needs, "head to toe," Gary says, can be $500 to $600.

South Coast Sporting Consignment was a way that the brothers could ease the burden on parents' wallets -- and, well, the wallets of anyone else who happens to play a sport -- and help raise funds for local youth sports organizations.

Here's how it works: You've got some old sports equipment in good repair, clean, and unsoiled that you don't use anymore. You bring it to the guys at South Coast Sporting Consignment and agree on a price. When the item sells, you get 60% of the selling price. Or, instead, you donate the equipment all together and South Coast Sporting Consignment donates 100% of the consignment fee to youth sports.

The brothers recently gave their first donation to Gateway Youth Hockey.

The store is currently filled with skiing, golf, tennis, racquet sports, football, soccer, and related sports equipment.

The brothers hope to offer some new merchandise in the future, such as warm-up suits and jackets. They also sharpen hockey skates for $6.

Gary said that the response from the community has been "hugely positive" since the store opened its doors. "Bring in something that you're not going to use!"

South Coast Sporting Consignment is located at 3 Tyler Ave., Unit B, in East Wareham. It is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday.

A previous version of this story indicated that 100% of the selling price for donated items was donated to youth sports. It is 100% of the consignment fee that is donated. We apologize for this error.