55th annual KMRS sale for MCC is this weekend

 

The 55th annual Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale (KMRS) will be this weekend from Friday evening, April 14 through mid-afternoon Saturday, April 15 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds, Hutchinson.
Many know about the sale but do not know the history of it all. The Mennonites who lived in South Russia—current day Ukraine—in 1920 were in a desperate situation. They were on the verge of starving to death. They made a plea to the Mennonites in Canada and the United States for help.
“This plea formed the world-relief organization known as Mennonite Central Committee. For over 100 years, MCC has expanded into 55-plus countries providing relief, development and peace projects including today’s Ukraine. A network of fundraisers called Relief Sales throughout North America seek to raise funds to support the work of MCC,” said Becky Blough, Kansas Mennonite Relief sale volunteer.

The KMRS features six diverse auctions, children’s activities, International and local crafts and a carryout meal served Friday and Saturday that features traditional Mennonite foods. Around 70 Kansas Mennonite, Brethren in Christ and Amish congregations join together utilizing an all-volunteer staff to organize and donate items and funds to make the sale possible. In 2022, KMRS donated $700,000 to MCC. The donation total is a combination of sale proceeds and other donations to KMRS.
The six auctions are the Quilt Auction, featuring over 200 plus hand-crafted quilts and quilt-related items (see quilt gallery at www.kansas.mccsale.org); the General Auction features a wide spectrum of items such as Modern Farm Equipment, antique tractors, vehicles, tools, antiques and handcrafted furniture and children’s toys and decor items; a kids auction on Saturday at 10 a.m. followed by a Memorabilia Auction at 11 a.m. in the Pride of Kansas Building; and a Surplus Auction. Also being sold are fair trade coffee/chocolates, 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. for all ages. All will be located inside the Pride of Kansas Building. Traditional Mennonite and American foods are also served throughout the fairgrounds.
A 5K Run for Relief is scheduled for Saturday morning at 8 a.m. at Rice Park (off the fairgrounds.) Entry forms are available at www.kansas.mccsale.org.
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. The sale continues on Saturday with breakfast service starting at 7 a.m., the 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 at about 2:30 p.m.
Many in Marion County helped as well from residents all over gathering together for Verenika making on April 1 at a local church in Hillsboro to three quilts submitted with Hillsboro ties Quilt B, #52 and #109 (see the sale website under quilt auction).

55th Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale Schedule
Friday, April 14
4 p.m. Booths & Activities open (until 8:30 p.m.)
4 p.m. RAW tools Demonstrations (in the afternoon)
4 p.m. Feeding the Multitude (serving until 8 p.m.)
4 p.m. Live Music in Sunflower North (from 4-8 p.m. approx.)
4 p.m. MDS The Storm Encounter Mobile Exhibit (until 8 p.m.)
5 p.m. Silent Auction Bidding Opens
6 p.m. Packing MCC Hygiene Kits (goes until 8 p.m.)
Saturday, April 15
7 a.m. Breakfast served in Cottonwood Court (until 9 a.m.)
8 a.m. 5K Run for Relief @ Rice Park
8 a.m. Booths & Activities open
8 a.m. RAW tools Demonstrations (in the morning)
8 a.m. MDS The Storm Encounter Mobile Exhibit (until noon)
8 a.m. Silent Auction (bidding open until 1 p.m.)
8:45 a.m. General Auction (goes until mid-afternoon)
8:45 a.m. Quilt Auction (goes until mid-afternoon)
10 a.m. Children’s Auction
11 a.m. Feeding the Multitude (goes until 1 p.m.)
11 a.m. Pepsi Collectibles Auction
2 p.m. Vehicles & Featured Items Sell at General Auction (time is approximate)
2 p.m. Surplus Auction (time is approximate)
Admission and parking are free. For more information visit the sale website at www.kansas.mccsale.org, like KMRS on Facebook at Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale or contact Jim Robb, KMRS Chair, at 620-345-7142 or at info@kansas.mccsale.org.
Overnight camping is available, for information and fees contact the fair office at 620-669-3600.

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