The 34th annual Brandon MCC Relief Sale raised more than $75,000 for the Mennonite Central Committee.

The funds help support work being done by that organization around the world. Saturday’s sale at the Keystone Centre attracted hundreds if not thousands of people who came out to buy things like farmer’s sausage, baking and produce.

Peter Letkeman has been a long time volunteer and he was pleased with support for this year’s program. “Our goal is to raise funds for either purchasing for Africa or Asia or where ever and then and then distribute over there. Rather than sending food from here directly we use the money to buy the food over there. In cases where we can’t buy the right foods then we ship it over. It’s really for Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia because they have real drought problems and that where our emphasis is this year.”

The Brandon sale is the last of its kind for MCC in Manitoba and Letkeman says it’s a great way of connecting the various groups from across Western Manitoba.

Darryl Loewen the Executive Director with MCC Manitoba was in attendance at Saturday’s sale and he liked what he saw in the Manitoba Room. “This is so encouraging and its celebratory really because I mean there are so many folks who are part of the organ zing effort and work throughout the calendar year to bring this event to fruition in September each year and it really reflects ownership by the individuals and we want them to think of themselves as MCC folks.”

MCC Relief Sales all have their own flavour and Loewen says the Brandon on e is known for its farmer’s sausage where as in New Hamburg, Ontario the quilt sale is the big draw. Loewen also had a theory why the Brandon sale keeps going strong.

“The robust resolve of the volunteers in the Westman region. They are enormous undertakings and because of that any sale needs to be volunteer lead and these hardy folks endure.”

Loewen calls the sale in Brandon kind of a multi-generational MCC reunion. “Money raised supports all of our work and that includes some domestic work here in Manitoba and other projects all over the world.”

Peter Letkeman says the sale usually brings in about $100,000 but after the bills are paid they should have about $75,000 for MCC. He adds they still have some farmer’s sausage left if people wish to make a purchase and if all the sausage is sold the money raised for MCC could be closer to $80,000.

“The Hutterite Colonies have really stepped up to the plate and helped us a lot with produce and cash donations. People from across Southwestern Manitoba come and interact and see how other cultures do things while supporting other countries. This is a great way of connecting and building relationships.”