MCC opens 9th B.C. thrift shop

On Jan. 18, Mennonite Central Committee B.C. opened its ninth thrift shop in the province and its third in Abbotsford. Hundreds of supporters were on hand to celebrate the opening.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony are (l–r) MCC B.C. thrift shop coordinator Wendy McClelland, MCC B.C. Auxiliary chair Norma Bergen, pastor Frank Martens, MCC B.C. board member Hedy Hintz, MLA John Van Dongen, mayor Mary Reeves and thrift shop manager Lori-Ann LaRoche.

Abbotsford mayor Mary Reeves praised MCC for its commitment to the community and to caring for the needy in the world.

Frank Martens, an associate pastor at Northview Community Church, spoke of MCC’s commitment to vision, volunteerism and caring for others. He noted that MCC thrift shops in B.C. raised over $1.5 million for ministry worldwide last year, and that the organization also cares for those close to home. He shared the story of a woman who had arrived at his church door with two children, having travelled from a distant province. The church took her in, and MCC helped furnish a home and supplied household goods for her.

Wendy McClelland, MCC B.C. thrift shop coordinator, is excited because this new store will raise more funds for MCC and is also a prototype for new ideas in running thrift shops. “We have lots of young volunteers and youth groups come in the evenings to sort, sweep floors, wash windows or do whatever is needed,” she said. “We are also working on a trial program of Restorative Justice to deal with shoplifters.” MCC’s Restorative Justice worker Catherine Bargen will help create this program. The new shop, located at 6–34150 South Fraser Way and called “Abby East” will be the first MCC thrift shop in North America to have such a program.

Because of a smaller number of volunteers available at the new store, managers Marie Reimer and Lori-Anne LaRoche have had to streamline the way they sort and price items to be put on the floor, and they are trying to be more selective in the items they accept for sale. Volunteers and managers all receive training in MCC orientation, customer service and crime prevention.

—Angelika Dawson, MCC B.C.