The Nebraska Mennonite RElief Sale:
45 years & Counting

Who We Support

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is a worldwide organization committed to helping communities in need. Through various projects, MCC works to alleviate poverty, respond to disasters, promote sustainable agriculture, and advocate for peace and justice. Their various initiatives and partnerships seek to foster hope, resilience, and sustainable changes that leave a lasting impact on the individuals, families, and communities they serve.

Learn More About MCC ⟶

our beginnings

Although the West Coast Mennonite community organized an auction in 1922 in response to the Mennonite crisis in Russia, it wasn't until 1954 that the first recognized MCC Sale took place in Gap, Pennsylvania.

Fast forward to May 1978, when the Director of the Central States Office sent a letter to Conference Leaders, Women's Organizations, and Nebraska Mennonite Churches. This letter aimed to spark discussion and collaboration on creating activities that would actively support the work of MCC in Nebraska. A few months later, in September of that same year, a meeting was held at Camelot Inn in York to delve deeper into this idea and establish a plan of action. Inspired by the work happening in other states, the idea for the first MCC Sale in Nebraska was born. To ensure representation and inclusivity, 27 churches spanning from Madrid to Omaha were invited to appoint a representative to serve on the board. This original group of representatives consisted of Homer Peters, Barb Schlegel, Erma Burkey, Vada Hauder, Don Barth, Ken Gingerich, William Roth, Burton Buller, Marlene Swartzendruber, and Dale Linsenmeyer.

The First Sale

In order for the first event to happen, the board had to make a few crucial decisions. The first was selecting the most suitable location. They considered Lincoln, York, and Aurora, but ultimately chose Aurora due to its central location and proximity the majority of volunteers. The next important decision was selecting the best date for the event. This was a challenge since the availability of volunteers was greatly influenced by the agricultural communities involved. It was decided to hold the sale at the end of March. However, with the possibility of bad weather, the first sale bill read “In case of inclement weather the sale will be held on Monday.”

The event took place March 28-29, 1980, with an expectation of proceeds anywhere between $30 and $40,000.

On Friday, the turnout for the soup supper was beyond what anyone could have anticipated. The homemade soup ran out and volunteers had to purchase canned soup from the grocery store to guarantee everyone in attendance would be served a meal. Visitors were able to view the items for sale, but nothing was sold that night. The evening concluded with a music program at the neighboring Methodist Church.

On Saturday the Ag Hall was filled with anticipation as the packed crowd bid on the handmade crafts and quilts. After everything was sold, the final tally revealed a staggering sum of $90,423.04 raised to support MCC World Relief. While volunteers celebrated this accomplishment, they also wondered what would they sell the following year as everything on-hand had been sold that first year.