Last week the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) announced the Brandon Relief Sale has officially ceased operations, this after more than 35 years of the Brandon sale raising funds for its international relief and development work.

The Brandon MCC Relief Sale, run by a committee of local volunteers, held their last sale just a few months prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, after which it was then suspended for the next 4 years. 

Typically, the MCC Relief Sale took place each year in the month of September at the Keystone Centre, filling the Manitoba Room with thousands of items for sale, including garden vegetables, hundreds of books, housewares, garden supplies, and small appliances and much, much more.  The quilt auction was always a highlight for many families, especially those who had spent most of the year carefully designing and sewing and often-times hand-stitching the beautiful quilts on display.

Of course, we can't forget the long line up for the perogies and farmer sausage noon time meal. Many a conversation with an old friend took place over this favorite Mennonite dish!  And you could purchase farmer sausage at the Relief Auction as well, although most of it was spoken for well ahead of sale date!

Executive Director for MCC Manitoba, Darryl Loewen, says the announcement of the end of the Brandon MCC Relief Sale is a sad announcement in so far as the sale has taken place for over 35 years. "A great many people have been involved as volunteers, for months in advance of the day, and throughout the day.  Many have attended, many have shopped and bid and bought a delicious lunch, and all the things that have gone with that terrific event!"

"So, we're sad for the end of that, but we're also in a mind of celebration for so very much generosity of time and resources, and interest and investment in the program of MCC that has come through that Brandon Relief Sale," shares Loewen. 

He says there was a 'collision of factors' that contributed to the decision to cease the sale, which included the Brandon committee, recognizing the change in society trends in a variety of ways. He adds the decision was made together. 

"The pandemic was certainly a significant factor as it brought to a halt nearly everything we did in all circles of our lives, that made it more difficult to resume than it already was to continue, because the task was enormous," he adds. "There were hundreds of hours in volunteer time in the months that led up to the Relief Sale Day in September, and then hundreds of hours to close up and conclude the work of the sale.  So, while the event was a one-day event, the volunteer tasks for dozens and dozens of people was nearly year-round."

Loewen notes fundraising events do still continue in the Westman Region to support the work of MCC, however in different ways for folks with a variety of backgrounds and interests can still be involved.  This includes the huge following the Brandon MCC Thrift Shop has with their volunteers, their donors and their patrons.  As well, Ten Thousand Villages on Rosser is another way for us to support the cause of MCC.  Also, in and around Canada Day each year a local Brandon cycling group organizes an MCC fundraise, 'Cycle Clearlake' which is open to the public who love to bike the trails! 

The Brandon sale was one of 38 similar events in North America at one time, raising money to support the vision and mission of MCC. Since 2013, the sale in Brandon was the last one remaining in Manitoba.

Please listen to more of this interview with MCC Manitoba Executive Director, Darryl Loewen, below!

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