A pancake breakfast held last month showed appreciation for volunteers at MCC (Mennonite Central Committee), Powell River’s newest thrift store.
Staff of MCC BC and several participants in the international volunteer exchange program attended the celebration of time and effort put into making the thrift shop such a huge success.
Out of the 10 MCC thrift shops in BC, the Powell River shop saw the largest increase in net revenue last year that contributes to the ministry and work of MCC happening locally and around the world.
MCC opened in August 2012 at 7030 Alberni Street. The shop raises funds to support the Anabaptist/Mennonite churches of North America’s global ministry. The ministry meets basic human needs such as water, food, shelter, education, health care, trauma healing and conflict transformation in partnership with churches and community organizations.
Ron van Wyk, associate execute director of MCC BC, said, “I accredit this accomplishment to the dedicated work done by staff and volunteers, and the welcoming and engaging community of Powell River.”
Wyk flipped pancakes and met volunteers outside the shop entrance in an effort to thank them for their hard work and dedication. Reflections were shared by many volunteers while eating breakfast together. One volunteer said every day spent volunteering at the shop “has given me a memorable experience, new ways of seeing through other people’s eyes. I show up wondering what the day will hold.”
The visiting group was able to observe and aid in the daily tasks of sorting and pricing clothing, baling clothes that would be recycled, putting merchandise out on the shelves, and even riding along for truck deliveries. Patsy Evans, a relief manager at the local store, said “I love, love, love it here. It is a part of my life I enjoy so much.”
To find out more about volunteering with MCC, readers can contact Bridget Findlay, volunteer coordinator, at 1.604.850.6639, [email protected].
