FAQ

It is an organization formed to organize and supervise an annual relief sale and auction for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), a nonprofit organization devoted to meeting human needs around the world “In the Name of Christ.”

After a 2020 Covid-limited event, we are happy to have a live event with the convenience of online bidding.

It is sponsored by over 100 churches: Amish, Apostolic, Brethren, Mennonite and Conservative Mennonites in Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.

In 2023 the sale date will be Friday, July 7th and Saturday, 8th.  Friday afternoon at 4:00pm, food is available and the booths are open; the evening program begins at 6:30pm. Then at 7:00am Saturday morning, breakfast is served. The Run For Relief starts at 7:30am. The Auction begins at 9am and last approximately until 3pm.

In 2023 the sale will be moving to the Mt Hope Auction Center located at 8076 OH-241, Millersburg, OH 44654

The Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale has a policy of selling only donated items. These are brought in prior to the sale. Auctioneers sell simultaneously in two areas. There are also priced and tagged items. Registration is required to bid at any of the auctions. Payment is made at the booths or at the check out location.

There are approximately 100 handmade quilts plus wallhangings and crib quilts, along with several hundred general items, including handcrafted furniture, hand tools, lawn mowers, vehicles (it depends on the year.) Children’s activities include a jumping house, kid’s train ride and games. Foods include baked goods, sausage or bratwurst sandwiches, barbequed chicken, noodles, Laotian Egg Rolls and homemade ice cream. Stands with items pre-priced include live plants and crafts and needlework as well as the special MCC display of items shipped in from 10,000 Villages.

People say, “It’s like a folk festival.” “It’s a festival atmosphere where people come from communities far and wide to eat, visit, and buy.” “It brings people together with a hearty how-do-you-do.” “It’s a thousand things happening at one time.” “The smells of food are wonderful!” “It’s love in action.”

It’s hard to estimate as no tickets are sold. Entrance is free. It was approximated that around 2,000 attend each year. Of the 43 relief sales found in the United States and Canada, Ohio ranks fourth. Relief sales with higher revenues are believed to have larger attendance. They are Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Michiana.

The first Relief Sale in 1966 raised $3,000. Our highest year approached $375,000 sent in one year.

The money is sent to Mennonite Central Committee offices located in Akron, Pennsylvania and Winnipeg, Manitoba where the proceeds are sent around the globe. The agency has over 700 volunteers working in around 50 countries. Approximately 8% is used for overhead expenses. All the rest goes directly to relieve hunger, homelessness, disasters caused by flood, wars, famine, earthquakes etc.

The money is sent to Mennonite Central Committee offices located in Akron, Pennsylvania and Winnipeg, Manitoba where the proceeds are sent around the globe. The agency has over 700 volunteers working in around 50 countries. Approximately 8% is used for overhead expenses. All the rest goes directly to relieve hunger, homelessness, disasters caused by flood, wars, famine, earthquakes etc.