MCC Thrift Store
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The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Thrift Store in Abbotsford is no ordinary thrift store, but stems from a long Mennonite tradition of aiding refugees, community service, and assisting development efforts in other parts of the world.
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The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) was founded in 1920 to provide famine relief to Mennonites in Russia during the Russian Civil War. Initially, it was intended to disband after completing the relief program in Russia, but it was reactivated in 1929 to aid Mennonite refugees who had fled to Germany. The MCC's second task was the resettlement of these refugees in Paraguay, where it continued to support the colonies it had sponsored, such as Fernheim, Neuland, and Volendam.
During and after World War II, the MCC shifted its focus to War Sufferers Relief, starting in Poland in 1939. Its work expanded to twelve European countries, primarily involving the distribution of food, clothing, and community services. In 1950, the MCC initiated a program in Jordan to aid Arab refugees. In the Far East, the MCC provided emergency relief services in Bengal, India, and entered China in 1945. It also began work in Puerto Rico in 1943 as part of the Civilian Public Service.
As the emergency relief needs in Europe diminished by 1957, the MCC's program in Europe was significantly reduced but continued in certain specialized services and maintained contact with European Mennonites. Similarly, the relief program in the Far East, particularly in Korea, Indonesia, and South Vietnam, underwent some reductions but remained active.
In 1963, the Historic Peace Church Council of Canada brought together various inter-Mennonite peace, relief, and service agencies to form a national inter-Mennonite body called the MCCC (Mennonite Central Committee Canada). This organization aimed to unite Canadian Mennonite groups in joint activities. The MCCC became a comprehensive organization, encompassing peace education, relief and development, voluntary service, immigration, lobbying, and other mutual concerns. Provincial MCCC offices were established across Canada, from Ontario to British Columbia.
The MCCC primarily carries out its overseas relief and development work through the MCC. However, it also has its own programs, including ministering to Kanadier Mennonites who migrated to Central and South America, supporting Mennonites in the Soviet Union, sponsoring refugees, gathering essential commodities for shipment overseas, and administering the Ten Thousand Villages program. Through this program, the MCCC purchases handmade crafts from artisans in developing countries, ensuring fair wages for the artisans while offering relatively inexpensive products to North American consumers.
Overall, the MCC thrift store's history is intertwined with the broader humanitarian efforts of the MCC, encompassing a wide range of relief, development, and service initiatives across the globe.
During and after World War II, the MCC shifted its focus to War Sufferers Relief, starting in Poland in 1939. Its work expanded to twelve European countries, primarily involving the distribution of food, clothing, and community services. In 1950, the MCC initiated a program in Jordan to aid Arab refugees. In the Far East, the MCC provided emergency relief services in Bengal, India, and entered China in 1945. It also began work in Puerto Rico in 1943 as part of the Civilian Public Service.
As the emergency relief needs in Europe diminished by 1957, the MCC's program in Europe was significantly reduced but continued in certain specialized services and maintained contact with European Mennonites. Similarly, the relief program in the Far East, particularly in Korea, Indonesia, and South Vietnam, underwent some reductions but remained active.
In 1963, the Historic Peace Church Council of Canada brought together various inter-Mennonite peace, relief, and service agencies to form a national inter-Mennonite body called the MCCC (Mennonite Central Committee Canada). This organization aimed to unite Canadian Mennonite groups in joint activities. The MCCC became a comprehensive organization, encompassing peace education, relief and development, voluntary service, immigration, lobbying, and other mutual concerns. Provincial MCCC offices were established across Canada, from Ontario to British Columbia.
The MCCC primarily carries out its overseas relief and development work through the MCC. However, it also has its own programs, including ministering to Kanadier Mennonites who migrated to Central and South America, supporting Mennonites in the Soviet Union, sponsoring refugees, gathering essential commodities for shipment overseas, and administering the Ten Thousand Villages program. Through this program, the MCCC purchases handmade crafts from artisans in developing countries, ensuring fair wages for the artisans while offering relatively inexpensive products to North American consumers.
Overall, the MCC thrift store's history is intertwined with the broader humanitarian efforts of the MCC, encompassing a wide range of relief, development, and service initiatives across the globe.