NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson is set to come alive with an array of sights, sounds and scents for the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale. This year's event is April 12 and 13.
"The Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale exists for the purpose of helping to support the Mennonite Central Committee, which is a humanitarian arm of combined Mennonite churches," said Jim Robb with KMRS. "Around the world, the funds we raise help to feed people, help to provide water, help to deal with emergencies, whether that's man made or natural. We're extended to 45 countries around the world."
What is the KMRS? KMRS is an event featuring five diverse auctions, children activities, local crafts, traditional Mennonite foods and numerous homemade goods. Kansas Mennonite, Brethren in Christ and Amish congregations join together—utilizing an all-volunteer staff--to organize, donate items and funds to make the sale possible.
The Mennonite Central Committee is still working in Ukraine, even as their conflict with Russia continues.
"We're still providing food," Robb said. "There's a group associated with the Mennonite Brethren Church in the Ukraine that are partners, that are MCC partners. We're able to get food and resources that allow them to be able to live. Medical, clothes, all of those kinds of things. These are to people who are refugees or who are still trying to hang on to living where they've always tried to live."
In 2023, KMRS donated $610,000 to MCC. The donation total is a combination of sale proceeds and other donations to KMRS.
The five 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 childrens’ toys and décor items; Silent Auction; a kid’s auction on Saturday at 10 a.m.; and a Surplus Auction.
Also being sold are fair trade coffee/chocolates, Kansas craft items, Christmas décor, 1,000 garden plants, souvenirs, baked foods, cheeses, hams, and sausage. The children’s activity building includes 9-hole mini golf, barrel train and various inflatables donated by Inflate-O-Fun, Inc., for all ages—all located inside the Pride of Kansas Building. Traditional Mennonite and American foods also served throughout the fairgrounds.
A 5K Run for Relief is scheduled 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., 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 about 2:30 p.m..
Admission and parking are free. For more information visit the sale website at www.kansas.mccsale.org or like KMRS on Facebook at Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale; or contact Jim Robb, KMRS Chair, at 620-345-7142, [email protected]..
Over-night camping is available, for information and fees contact the fair office at 620-669-3600.
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 40 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.
56th Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale schedule:
Friday, April 12
4 p.m. Booths & Activities open (until 8:30 p.m.)
4 p.m. Feeding the Multitude (serving until 8:00 p.m.)
5 p.m. Silent Auction Bidding Opens
6 p.m. General Auction opens
Saturday, April 13
7 a.m. Breakfast served in Cottonwood Court (until 9:00 a.m.)
8 a.m. 5K Run for Relief @ Rice Park
8 a.m. Booths & Activities open
8 a.m. Silent Auction (bidding open until 1:00 PM)
8:45 a.m. General Auction (goes until midafternoon)
8:45 a.m. Quilt Auction (goes until midafternoon)
10 a.m. Children’s Auction
11 a.m. Feeding the Multitude (goes until 1:00 p.m.)
2:30 p.m. Surplus Auction (time is approximate)
Additional information is provided by the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale.
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