Since the flagship location opened its doors in Altona 50 years ago, the MCC Thrift Shop network has expanded to more than 85 stores across North America, providing millions of dollars each year for Mennonite Central Committee’s work at home and around the world.
Kristine Heinrichs, MCC Manitoba Manitoba Thrift Coordinator, says it all began with four women from Altona.
“Selma Loewen gathered her friends Linie Friesen, Susan Giesbrecht and Sara Stoesz together to respond to MCC’s call to turn clothing into cash. They envisioned a temporary shop that would run maybe six months, a goal that turned into reality on March 17th of 1972. Fifty years later, here we are with 85 and growing thrift shops across Canada and the United States.”
Nettie Stoesz has volunteered at the Altona location for 45 years, and still finds the work interesting.
“To unpack and see all the treasures and the not-so-treasures that people sometimes bring. Sometimes when we unpack clothing we say. ‘All these people have nothing to wear next year because they brought everything’ - and it's still coming. And also what meant a lot to me, this was not just for fun, it was also helping the needy people. And that's what we're all about.”
Dave Rempel’s earliest recollection of the store stretches back to the days when his mother served as one of the first volunteers there. Her example was not lost on her son, who now manages the Altona store.
“This is a really important place in the Altona community. It's been here for fifty years now. It's part of the fabric of the community, and I thought, well, this would be a great place to be involved. It's all about furthering the work of MCC, what MCC does in terms of peace work, development, relief and so forth. Being a part of something that's bigger than myself is always something that I've valued very much.”
Heinrichs says these thrift stores have become community-oriented places where everyone involved builds something beautiful for the people they serve here and abroad.
As she see it, the shops offer a three-pronged approach to renewal of product, renewal of place and renewal of people.
“Volunteers, customers, donors, board and the staff people - this is the sort of dynamic and church-like, somewhat messy but integrative space where people can come and feel connected. The product - there's an ability for items, their lives to be extended. And these sort of community center-oriented spaces, where often you'll see in line collectors or moms or refugees, or our homeless friends … this is how the money sort of circulates within these spaces.”
Susie Friesen, a volunteer since 1998, says her work has given her a sense of purpose and companionship. 
“There are sixty very very hardworking volunteers here every day. Many of them come and just check if there's something to do. They'll work and go home happy because they contributed something. It’s like a family here, just a wonderful experience.”
One of her fondest memories involves a pair of young customers.
“Two girls came in. They both tried on wedding dresses. The next thing they were at the till, and I asked, ‘Are you getting married?’ They said yes, and I said, ‘When's the big date?’ And they looked at their father, who was paying for both dresses, and they said, ‘The boys haven't asked yet.”
Given the international and local scope of MCC’s programs, Heinrichs says there’s a long and far reach to the dollars spent at thrift stores, powered by a work force that’s become more diverse in age.
Over the years, Rempel says hundreds of volunteers have served with tremendous dedication, worth ethic, commitment and consistency. And the door is open for more to get involved, a sentiment echoed by Friesen.
“It would be wonderful to have younger people taking up the reins and keep on going.”
Potential volunteers are invited to stop by and speak with Rempel or contact him via an email to altonamcc@gmail.com.
Thu, Apr 25, 8:01 AM
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