Mennonite
Central
Committee

MCC relief sales: Fun and giving across the United States and Canada

Marla Pierson Lester
October 11, 2006

At the Central Fraser Valley MCC Relief Sale, Auction and Festival in Abbotsford, B.C., a loaf of bread brought in donations of $244,000 Cdn., or some $217,855 U.S. A bowl of rice, representing the need for food, drew $5,600 Cdn., or $5,000 U.S.

Throughout Canada and the United States, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) relief sales bring together food, fun and items from quilts to puzzles in all raising more than $6 million Cdn., or more than $5 million U.S., each year for MCC's worldwide relief, development and peace work.

There are 32 relief sales in the United States and 14 in Canada this year, with thousands of volunteers coming together to make auctions, food booths, entertainment and other activities possible. "We estimate more than 20,000 volunteers are involved," said Dave Worth, director of MCC's Resource Generation Network.

Relief sales are truly community events. Harriet Berg, MCC's relief sale coordinator, said at least 30 percent of the crowd at relief sales are non-Mennonites.

There are two ingredients that don't change "Expect to find friendly faces and wonderful food," Berg said.

But aside from that, each sale reflects the traditions and backgrounds of members of local churches and communities. So in Atlanta, the peach cobblers soon sold out. In British Columbia, offerings ranged from 25,750 perogies to a local aboriginal group's donation of salmon barbecue.

At the Michiana Mennonite Relief Sale in Goshen, Ind., a Korean food booth was hosted by a Korean family whose daughter is attending Goshen College. They timed their visit to the United States to be able to attend the relief sale.

Donations go beyond congregations who traditionally support the sale. At the Atlanta sale, a woman attending an adjacent RV show became caught up in the giving spirit and donated hand-knitted dish cloths. She said she prays while knitting and wished to pass the item on to others.

At the Brandon, Manitoba, sale, a 12-year-old-girl created her first quilt for the auction with her grandmother's help. The girl, whose grandmother and grandfather have been creating comforters for MCC for many years, was so excited to be able to contribute that she is planning another quilt for next year.

"Just the excitement of the volunteers is really great to see," said Berg. "Everybody's trying to do the best job they can and raise the most money for MCC."

Quilts are a staple of the sales and raise significant funds. This year, Berg said, vintage quilts have caught on well, and organizers hope for more for next year's sales. "We're looking for vintage quilts or older quilts in good condition," she said.

Another hallmark of relief sales is sorting coins for Penny Power, an effort to collect spare change for MCC's work. "You'll be hearing the jingle of coins. They might be in wheelbarrows. They might be in hog troughs. They be spread out on tables," Berg said.

At some sales, a figure dressed as Abe Lincoln (who is on the U.S. penny) strolls through the crowd, carrying a bucket to collect change.

Berg praised volunteers' creativity. More than 350 boxes of puzzles sold at the Brandon, Manitoba, relief sale. Other offerings ranged from fresh produce to used Tupperware.

At the Black SwampBenefit Bazaarin Wauseon, Ohio, mud volleyball brought in $1,000 U.S., or $1,126 Cdn. Twenty-nine teams played on a field created by spreading hay bales, pouring dirt from a dump truck and opening a fire hydrant.

In October, there will be relief sales in Rockingham County, Va., Ritzville, Wa., Albany, Ore., Harrisonville, Mo., and Rocky Ford, Colo. November sales will be in Enid, Okla., Clarence, N.Y., and Houston, Texas.

 

 

Marla Pierson Lester is a writer for MCC.