Other Sales
Mennonites have a unique way of combining fellowship with charity at relief sales. These events – which usually center around an auction of quilts, crafts, and even livestock – are significant to the Mennonite communities in which they are held.
Volunteers work year-round on the planning and people congregate from miles away on the day of the sale. Auction bidders raise the prices of everything from exquisite handcrafted furniture to loaves of bread. The money paid rarely reflects the true value of the goods. The people at these sales are buying something more intangible; they are reaching out to fellow human beings. They take the opportunity of these sales to witness their faith in Christ.
Those who donate items to be sold, too, do their part for relief. They lovingly stitch quilts, bake foods, create crafts, and donate heirlooms. And somehow that love shows through on sale day to draw financial commitment from the bidders and buyers to the advantage of the world’s disadvantaged.
Those who attend relief sales come to share food, friendship, and the hope that they can do their part to support the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), which has about 1,000 persons in service in more than 50 countries around the world in agriculture, community development, health and social services. In 1997, the relief sales brought in $4,050,745 for MCC.
While helping the causes of MCC, relief sales are special events of the large Mennonite family. And like any family, no matter the culture, food seems to be a central part of special events, holidays, and other celebrations. Many people cannot wait to taste the raisin fritters served at the sale in Fresno, Calif., or the freshly pressed apple cider at the MCC Fall Festival in Albany, Ore.
Taken from More Treasured Mennonite Recipes Series II, published, in cooperation with MCC, by Fox Chapel Publishing, Lancaster, PA.
Here’s a map with links to locations of other relief sales in the United States and Canada.
