I went to the hardware store to buy some lightbulbs for my house. I was shocked to see a four-pack of the bulbs for $24 or $6 a bulb. I decided to buy a Thrift on Kent bulb instead.
I think many could relate to my experience—prices everywhere seem out of whack from what we’re used to. This is a main reason why the store is doing so well—we sell good quality items at an affordable price. This is important to us and is reflected in our mission statement:
• To raise funds for MCC
• To promote stewardship of resources
• To sell quality donated items at a reasonable cost
• To help alleviate poverty by providing affordable goods
• To offer opportunities for service
• To raise awareness of the mission of MCC
Some of you may not know, but there is a large reseller market in our area. These individuals comb through our store to find items they can buy and resell for higher. If they find a good deal, they will buy everything in stock. On one hand, I’m happy we sold it. On the other hand, I wonder: “Who are we serving
… what is our mission.” If those in need must pay an even higher price to someone else (a reseller), or are left with less desirable, picked-over items on our shelves, we are not fulfilling our mission. It can be challenging to find the right balance.
In this time when we all experience the frustration of prices going up, staff hear many comments about pricing from our volunteers. They range from “Wow, what a good value” to “We get it for free; you shouldn’t charge much” and everything in between. As a staff team, we adjust to a changing economy and use data to determine pricing to avoid being picked over. We want to honour our donors, our hardworking volunteers, our customers and our mission. As inflation raised prices of everything, we too have raised prices—to remain in balance with our mission. We appreciate your understanding and support. We priced the bulb I wanted at $2—affordable and below market price for a brand-new one. That makes me a happy customer!
Kent Buhrke General Manager MCC Thrift on Kent
New: Inclusion Solution Group
The purpose of this group is to hear from any volunteers who require some accommodations to do their job well. Part of MCC’s mission is peacebuilding, which includes breaking down barriers for volunteers and all who come through our doors. We want to hear feedback and, rather than lay blame, to come up with solutions together so that everyone feels heard and supported. With all the changes that have been happening, we need to hear your experience about what is working and what is not and how we can continue to make TOK a positive and welcoming environment for all our volunteers. If this interests you, please let Giselle know soon, and we will set up a time to meet in February.
BIRTHDAYS
New staff introduction
Kiran Isaac, our new retail staff team member, started early in January. She helps the volunteers in the store and at the cash area. She works to keep the store neat and tidy and arranges and organizes the merchandise.
She grew up in Saudi Arabia, but she has also been to Bahrain, Dubai, Qatar and all over India, and she is now living in Canada.
Kiran’s favourite food is her mom’s fish curry, which she makes in a mud pot. She makes this curry with ripe bananas and yogurt, and Kiran likes to eat this with rice.
Kiran likes to go to the arcade on the weekends to play games. She also likes spend time chatting with friends and playing board games. Two of her favourite games are Love Letter and Camelot.
If she could live in any other time in history, she would pick the eighteenth century because she likes the clothes they wore then. (But she realizes that women didn’t have rights then, and that corsets would be uncomfortable, so maybe just a visit to that time period.)
And Giselle’s personal favourite – the elf slippers, thanks to Lucas for modelling!
Unusual things we get donated
And with the diverse customer and volunteer base we have, they will find happy homes!
A quick tour of the workroom and store in January, and we have found the following:
Welcome to our new volunteers! We are grateful that you are joining us at TOK, and we hope that you feel welcome!
Bethany – Cash (evenings)
Terry – Receiving and Driving
San – Sports
Muryum and Ibraheem – Retail (evenings)
Nate – Electrical (evenings)
Jean – Crafts/Stationery
Lori and Karen – Books
Javed – Electrical and Cash
Ella – Retail Store
Onyekachi – Retail Fashion
Welcome to our Laurier students for the term Ajay, McKenna, Avah and Ivy!
Eastwood Students Door-Decorating Contest
During the final week of school, before the Christmas holidays, students at Eastwood Collegiate in Kitchener had a winter classroom door-decorating contest. Room #107, ELD/A, an English Language Development classroom, with students from Syria, Iraq, Kurdistan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Congo, decided to enter.
Staff taught them how to cut out snowflakes, a favourite winter craft activity. Accent pieces … the big
bow, snowmen, miniature sparkling snowflakes and icicles, etc. came from TOK … so did the blue foam snowflakes on which winter greetings were written in different languages. The students loved it! For some of them, it was the first time that they had used scissors and learned how to operate a glue gun. They had great fun planning the layout, led by Fatima and Sanad from Syria. Can you spot the gnome? :)
Marion spotted a skeleton mug
Rose is showing a fuzzy koala tissue box cover
Bob is showing us a machine that reads aloud to you
Henry found a little stove top Moka pot
Health & Safety Reminders
(Read more about this policy in section 3 of the MCC Volunteer Orientation Manual. If you are not sure where to find the manual, please talk to your Volunteer Manager or General Manager)
If you get hurt, experience difficulties, or see something out of sorts while volunteering with us, we want to know about it immediately. Here are the steps to follow:
• Tell a supervisor or other MCC staff immediately.
• Help them fill out an incident report.
• Offer any helpful suggestions for creating a healthier and safer environment.
Volunteers must report the following to a supervisor/
MCC staff immediately:
• All injuries, incidents, and unusual conditions.
• Any missing or defective equipment or protective device.
• Any observed hazards.
• Any risks or potential risks of violence or harassment encountered in the workplace.
Thank you for helping us as we continue to provide safe and positive volunteer experiences for all!
MCC Speaks Up Service
If you think someone part of MCC abused their power or did something wrong, you are encouraged to report your concern. Here are some ways to do that:
1. Talk to someone:
A. The supervisor responsible for volunteers at your shop or program
B. Holly McClement, Volunteer Services Manager, hollymcclement@mcco.ca, 519-745-8458 x 366
C. Kim Knight, Human Resources Manager, kimknight@mcco.ca, 226-242-9737
D. Wendy Adema, Director of People and Programs, wendyadema@mcco.ca, 519-745-8458 x 244
2. Use the Speak Up Service:
This is a way to report problems or concerns. A company called NAVEX (EthicsPoint) helps with this. You can fill out a form online or call them on the phone. You can use your computer or a smartphone, and
they’ll talk to you in the language you like.
You might want to use the Speak Up Service if:
• You don’t want anyone to know who you are (you can choose to stay secret or give your name).
• You want to report directly into the system MCC uses.
• You can’t or don’t want to talk to a person.
• You feel scared to tell a person.
Ways to use the Speak Up Service:
Online: mcc.ethicspoint.com | Mobile: mcc.navexone. com | Call Toll-free: 844-974-5078
There will be posters around the MCC offices, shops, and programs for more information on how to use this service. If you are not sure where to find one, please contact Holly McClement, hollymcclement@mcco.ca 519-745-8458 x 366
Hope Starts at Home
Join us for “Hope Starts at Home: Discover Our Local Programs,” an immersive experience where you’ll witness firsthand how our programs are making a difference here at home and around the world. Over the course of two and a half hours, you’ll explore various interactive vignettes and hands-on activities that highlight the transformative stories of those we serve.
Visit mcc.org/experience-mcc to register.
2024 ONTARIO
THRIFT SHOPS
2,820,965 items, including clothing, furniture and household goods, were thoughtfully reused, helping both people and the planet through MCC Ontario Thrift Shops.
VOLUNTEERS
1,801 volunteers embodied compassion and hope for countless lives.
INTERNATIONAL
YEAR
GLANCE AT A
GLANCE
INDIGENOUS NEIGHBOURS
305 initiatives strengthened local food sovereignty in northern Indigenous communities.
MEAT CANNERY
Construction started on Ontario’s first stationary meat cannery, which will provide essential nutrients to those in need worldwide.
THE RAW CARROT
The Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise provided over 1,400 hours of employment that matters.
MATERIAL RESOURCES
116,125 people received hygiene items, including menstrual health supplies*
EMERGENCY RELIEF
Relief aid shipments reached communities in Malawi, Ukraine, Burundi, Cuba, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Palestine, Zambia and the USA, providing critical support to those in need.
299,458 people received emergency food assistance*
BRINGING HOPE
194 newcomers were welcomed to Ontario, beginning new lives of hope and opportunity.
ADVOCACY
15 advocacy initiatives aimed to create meaningful change and improve the lives of the most vulnerable.
DEVELOPMENT
40,726 people trained in climate-adaptive agriculture practices*
46,247 people now have access to an improved water source*
44,358 people globally received training in human rights*
Relief, development and peace in the name of Christ | mcc.org
