1972
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Date photo taken
05 April 2012
Country of origin
Canada
Photo credit
Historic photo
Themes
Constituency Activities
Description
ALTONA, Man. – Forty years ago, four women in the southern Manitoba community of Altona opened a thrift shop to raise funds for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). It was the beginning of a network that has grown to 56 shops in Canada and 57 in the U.S. and has generated contributions totaling $167 million during those 40 years for the work of MCC. “This is unbelievable – our mustard seed has turned into a big tree and it is still growing,” exclaimed Linie Friesen, 90, one of the founders of the Altona shop which opened March 17, 1972. Friesen, who was a regular volunteer at the shop until a year ago, said the seemingly insignificant beginnings of MCC thrift shops and the steady growth reminds her of how the blessings of God can turn small contributions into miraculous growth. “I think it has grown beyond our wildest dreams and hopes,” she said. “The Lord has blessed our efforts. It is just a remarkable thing.” MCC’s thrift shop network will celebrate this 40-year milestone, May 7-10, at a conference in Archbold, Ohio, where a thrift shop opened in 1976. This conference, which takes place every four years, brings together delegates from both Canada and the U.S. Reflecting on the early years, Friesen recalled her friend, Selma Loewen, who had attended the MCC Manitoba annual meeting in February 1972. There Loewen had heard John Hostetler – director of MCC’s material resources program at the time – report that MCC was reducing shipments of used clothing for overseas distribution. Hostetler had also made the now legendary statement: “What we need is a machine that will turn clothing into cash.” Within a few days of the February meeting, Loewen had invited Friesen and two other friends, Sara Stoesz and Susan Giesbrecht, to her home where they discussed the idea of selling used goods locally and donating the proceeds to MCC. Friesen said the women’s groups contributed $125 to cover the first month rent of the shop. (MCC Photo)
News Service / News Service 2022
Public: Thrift Shop history
Special collections / Centennial All Photographs