MCC Thrift Store in Steinbach gives back to those who give

Amidst increasing demands on its resources and the growing need for volunteers to keep pace, the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Thrift Store in Steinbach took a moment aside to hold its volunteer appreciation dinner in A.D. Penner Park.

Over 100 volunteers came out to enjoy a complimentary barbecue supper put on by the store’s board and hosted by store manager Dave Thiessen in appreciation for the dedication and service they have performed to keep the store operating. The thrift store then translates the proceeds of its operations into funding for other charities, assistance that is much in demand during the current tough economic times.

“We have had this last year, an absolutely terrific year and this evening here is because of all of you folks (our volunteers),” said Thiessen addressing the gathering of helpers.

“It is exactly because of your dedication, your serving, that you are contributing … to the work of the MCC. It is because of your hard work that we are able to write a check every month for $50,000, we’re doing $600,000 a year for our charities, and that is because of you folks.”

While the assembled group dined on delicacies from Danny’s Whole Hog BBQ and Smoke House and listened to the gentle sounds of the New Covenant Quartet, MCC Canada communications manager and Dave Thiessen’s son, Luke Thiessen, reiterated both the MCC’s thanks and the hard times people were currently living under.

“I just wanted to say on behalf of MCC Canada, thank you all so very much for being part of the thrift work. We’re in a time where charitable giving is down, and a lot of charities are struggling … to find the money to keep working,” said Luke.

“Your hours of volunteering is helping fund, whether it’s food and supplies, fleeing from violence in Ukraine … or folks needing clean drinking water in sub-Saharan Africa, or providing for people’s basic needs, helping people in challenging conflict zones, sickness, poverty, all these challenges, you are a part of that. Thank you.”

After giving the blessing to the banquet, Steinbach Thrift Store vice-chair Sieg Dyck pointed out that the current hard economic times have forced the store to revamp its business model and to ensure administration is streamlined so that valuable funds go to the charities the store supports rather than to operating costs, which makes the corps of volunteers even more significant.

“That’s the biggest struggle (for the thrift shops) is that they need the work to be done, but we are so short of volunteers that we have to hire folks to keep up,” said Dyck.

“The thing is, we are happy we can provide a wonderful service for the community, because let’s face it, we’re in an economy where many families are struggling, people are struggling to keep up with the cost of living. So where do you shop? At a thrift store, and for us the benefit is those revenues go back to fund (those in need). Volunteers make it all possible. We are always looking for volunteers,” said Dyck.

The assortment and range of those present for the banquet demonstrates Dyck’s point, as some volunteers in attendance, like 97-year-old Daniel Blatz and his 87-year-old wife Helen, have been volunteering with the thrift store for over 20 years, doing laundry, repairs and even just keeping the shop clean.

Daniel is no stranger to life’s hardships, having survived the Great Depression with 11 other siblings. “He understands what farm to table really means,” said Helen, referring to the family vegetable garden they kept when they were younger to provide meals for their family and their own six children.

The couple serves as an example and inspiration to new volunteers like Mompremier Jean, a recent arrival from Haiti who had just completed his first day as a volunteer with the thrift store. Jean is also no stranger to hardship and how much even small gestures of help can make the difference in making it through tough times.

“After I received my papers to work, I got a job with the (Steinbach) Parks and Recreation department. I work on the grounds all around here, and I had so much help from the community getting started, so as soon as I could work I asked to volunteer with the MCC and so here I am,” said Jean.