The Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale, April 8 & 9, offers 24 hours of bidding on quilts and antique vehicles and tractors, purchasing crafted items, activities for kids and enjoying a variety of foods at the Kansas State Fairgrounds, Hutchinson. The event’s purpose is to raise funds for Mennonite Central Committee—a world-relief organization offering relief, development and peace programs in 58 countries.
The KMRS features five diverse auctions, childrens’ activities, International and local crafts, a cafeteria style meal served Friday and Saturday feature traditional Mennonite foods and more. Around 70 Kansas Mennonite, Brethren in Christ and Amish congregations join together—utilizing an all-volunteer staff–to organize, donate items and funds to make the sale possible. In 2015, KMRS donated $580,000 to MCC—donation total is a combination of sale proceeds, MCC Ride for Relief and other donations to KMRS.
The five auctions are the Quilt Auction, featuring around 200 hand-crafted quilts and quilt related items (see quilt gallery at www.kansas.mccsale.org); the General Auction features a new Residential Hustler Raptor SD, ‘48 Olds Coupe, 47K , ‘67 Ford F-750, ‘88 Chevy S-10 with topper, ‘05 Ford Freestar Mini-Van, ‘48 8N Ford restored, ’52 Allis Chalmers WD tractor restored, ‘56 MM 445 restored, ‘Allis Chalmers 170 Nice, ‘74 Honda CB200T, ‘95 Honda 4 Wheeler, One Seat Buggy Complete with Shafts, Harness & Bridle, used JD 165 Hydrostatic Mower, china cabinet, tools, antiques, and various hand-crafted Mennonite furniture and children’s toys; a Silent Auction featuring a natural pink pear shaped diamond pendant donated by Gemstone Jewelers, ceramics offered by local artisans, golf package for four at Prairie Dunes and hand-crafted items; a kids’ auction on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Pride of Kansas Building; and a Surplus Auction.
Also being sold (pre-priced) are International (fair trade) and Kansas craft items, 1,000 garden plants, souvenirs, baked foods, cheeses, hams, and sausage. The children’s activity building includes 9-hole mini golf and various inflatables donated by Inflate-O-Fun, Inc., Inman, for all ages—all located inside the Pride of Kansas Building. Traditional Mennonite and American foods also served throughout the fairgrounds.
A 5K Run for Relief is scheduled Saturday morning at 8 a.m. at Rice Park (off the fairgrounds.) Entry forms are available at www.kansas.mccsale.org or contact Angie Teeter at 620-327-4434.
KMRS begins at 4 p.m. Friday with food service in all buildings including Feeding the Multitude, featuring Russian-German and Swiss Mennonite foods, in the Cottonwood Court. Auction items open for viewing at 4 p.m. along with the sale of priced items. The Silent Auction opens bidding at 5 p.m. in Sunflower South and General Auction starts Friday at 6 p.m. in Sunflower Building North. The sale continues on Saturday with breakfast service starting at 7 a.m., sale of priced items at 8 a.m. and the Silent Auction reopens bidding at 8 a.m. while the General and Quilt auctions start at 8:45 a.m.. The weekend concludes with the Surplus Auction in Sunflower South starting about 2:30 p.m..
The sale is the second largest annual event scheduled at the Fairgrounds.
All are welcome to attend the sale. Admission and parking are free. For more information visit the sale website at www.kansas.mccsale.org or like KMRS on Facebook at Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale; or contact Jim Robb, KMRS Chair, at 620-345-7142, [email protected], or Becky Blough, publicity chair, at 620-747-0558, [email protected].
Over-night camping is available, for information and fees contact the fair office at 620-669-3600.
Mennonite Central Committee mission statement (www.mcc.org)
MCC (mcc.org), working in partnership with local agencies throughout the world, is closely monitoring the impact of the food crisis and formulating appropriate responses. MCC has a long history of addressing issues relating to food security and food injustices. MCC food programs include direct food assistance, water projects and agricultural supports. MCC also works with community groups and governments to advocate for just trade and fair economic policies. Go to MCC.org to learn more about MCC programs and history.
MCC works alongside local churches and communities in more than 55 countries, including Canada and the United States, to carry out disaster relief, sustainable community development and justice and peace-building work in the name of Christ. MCC also seeks to build bridges to connect people and ideas across cultural, political and economic divides.
MCC relies on the support of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches to provide committed, energetic workers, financial support and prayer for this worldwide ministry.
