As spring turns into summer our student volunteers begin to turn their attention to summer plans. We are so grateful for over 50 students currently volunteering with us and many more who have completed their service hours and moved on to other things during the past school year. A hearty THANK YOU to high school, college, and university students who prioritize volunteering while they manage a full academic schedule.
Our Community Partnership initiatives now include volunteer-based agencies through which many volunteers come to us. Partners include the John Howard Society, Wilfrid Laurier University, and the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB). Carin Brooks, a teacher supporting WRDSB students during their regular Friday service describes the partnership this way:
“The first ever, 2025–2026, partnership between the
Canada Day
We are closed on Wednesday July 1st for Canada Day.
Goodbye and Well-Wishes
New Dawn program and Thrift on Kent has successfully provided a “bridge” for students transitioning from social isolation to active community participation. Through this supported workplace model, students have demonstrated measurable growth in professional stamina, social accountability, and emotional regulation, contributing approximately 500 hours of service to the store while earning essential secondary school credits.”
From a student’s perspective: “I feel like I’ve learned a lot of like social skills and stuff because I used to be really anxious talking to new people, but working there, I’ve been like pretty talkative with like even just the people working there and stuff.”
A celebration of the accomplishments of these students will be held on June 19, their last day with us. A hearty congratulations to each of them!
Tim Albrecht
General Manager MCC Thrift
on Kent
We’re saying goodbye to Bishal Gautam, our Team Member for Receiving, in early June. Bishal has accepted a position with Village Green MCC Thrift in Saskatoon as their Production Associate and Driver. Bishal has served with great faithfulness and a welcoming servant’s heart in our Donation Centre since October 2024.
We wish him God’s blessing as he moves on to this next chapter of his life.
Cameras Needed!
Do you have an old digital camera you could lend for the month of June? MCC Ontario’s Circle of Friends program is hosting a photography group for folks transitioning from homelessness to housing. This fun, social time helps them feel connected and cared for. Cameras must have a memory card and be able to hold a charge. Email clairesmith@mcco.ca if you can help.
Welcome!
A big welcome to our new volunteers! We have included what shifts they are on. Is there someone new volunteering on your shift? Make a point to find them and say hello!
Unusual donation of the month
Who would the perfect customer be for these items?
Wei (Mon - retail fashion; Wedcash)
Allison (Monreceiving)
James (Tuesreceiving)
Matthew (Tues/ Th/Fri - sports)
Edom (Fri – retail fashion
Christina (Sat –retail fashion)
Sharmainne (Sat – retail fashion)
Anastasia (Thurs – retail fashion)
Alexis (Wed –retail fashion)
Judith (Wed –pricing clothing)
Omar (W/Satretail fashion)
Aliks (Sat – retail fashion)
Spencer F (Sat –receiving)
Cream poured into teacup
Horseshoe wreath
Highlight: High school volunteers
We are privileged as a store to have so many amazing high school students who volunteer with us! Besides our class, which comes each week, we have an average of 30 high school students who come in to volunteer during any given week! We appreciate their energy and willingness to help out.
As June is a time when some high schoolers stop volunteering, and others are applying to volunteer in the summer, I wanted to highlight a few and find out why they keep volunteering with us beyond their 40 required hours. Here is what they have to say:
• Aryan: What keeps me coming back is the sense of purpose and the positive environment. I enjoy helping out and knowing that my time supports something meaningful in the community. The team also makes the experience enjoyable, which motivates me to continue volunteering beyond the required hours.
• Jordie: I love volunteering here because I love meeting new people and talking to people. I enjoy making new friends along the way, I love helping customers when I do the cash, I love making new connections. I love all of it!!!
Highlight: Hygiene items
People donate all kinds of things to our Thrift shops - just ask someone who volunteers in receiving! As MCC Thrift shops have parameters on what we are allowed to sell, this leaves us with a bunch of donations that we don’t know what to do with!
We love it when volunteers step up and organize things such as donations that we “don’t know what to do with!” Shelley Whitman, who volunteers in housewares and electrical, has been taking this task on. Shelley says, “One of the things I love to see in our back-end donations is the ones destined for people beyond the store. We save all the feminine products, beauty products, and baby and adult diapers, and pass them on to Ray of Hope. These items allow all women, infants and adults dignity, something everyone deserves.”
Every week on Friday, Johnny from Ray of Hope comes and picks up 5-6 large bags or boxes of items. Though this doesn’t raise money for MCC, it fits into MCC’s values of helping those who are most in need in our community. Most of what we pass on are brand new packaged soaps, makeup, toothbrushes and body products, feminine products, adult continence pads and bottles in good shape. Shelley is very picky about what we pass on, as we need to make sure it is safe and, more importantly, show dignity to those who receive it.
June barbecues!
We are doing barbecues differently this year! Keep reading… Last year, we had one barbecue in June and one in August. We recognize that it isn’t realistic for many people to attend on a day when they are not volunteering. And we know that many of you go away for the summer. So, as we want as many volunteers as possible to attend, we have adjusted how we are running barbecues this year.
In June, we are planning two barbecues - one on Tuesday, June 9, and another on Wednesday, June 10. We will ask you to sign up the week before the barbecue you are planning to attend so that we know how many people to expect. Even if you don’t volunteer on one of those days, you are welcome to sign up for one. Instead of our August barbecue, we are going to have two barbecues in September. Stay tuned for the dates, but these will be on a Thursday and Friday to make it easier for people who volunteer on those days to attend –though anyone is welcome.
Summer Holidays
Please let Giselle and your supervisor know of your summer holiday plans. We understand that many of you take time away in the summer to enjoy the beautiful weather and time with friends and family. We need to make sure we have enough volunteers to keep the store running!
Blessed are the thrifty: A theological reflection on thrifting
There was a great feature in Christianity Today in early May about thrifting. I wanted to share a few quotes that stand out:
“Thrifting reminds me of stories of renewal in the Bible, taking what is unwanted and tossed away and remaking it into something new and treasured. Jesus does the same with us, taking our old lives and making them new,” writes Ann Byle. “The olive-green sweater worn by someone new or a dusty candy dish just like the one that used to sit on a table at Grandma’s house point to the work of the Savior who finds value in what isn’t inherently valuable.”
The article goes on to talk about the early church who shared everything and no one went without. When we as a society donate our extras, others have enough – and can afford enough. Jesus also found value in people when society didn’t. Examples of these are the tax collector and the prostitute. We hope that every customer who comes into our shop senses that they are valued in a world where there is lots of stigma and discrimination.
Are you “just volunteering at a thrift shop”? Nope! It’s much bigger than that!
From www.christianitytoday.com/2026/05/thrifting-to-the-glory-of-god/ by Giselle Carter
Big Thank You!
A big thank you to volunteers who participated in our baking week! What a treat for us all to try some home baking!
Now Hiring: A New Social Enterprise Pilot Project
MCC is launching a Social Enterprise Pilot Project inspired by The Raw Carrot model and is now hiring. The initiative will provide meaningful, supported part-time employment for six individuals facing long-term barriers, including those receiving ODSP or OW, from July to November. The project addresses the challenge of excess unsellable textiles from MCC Thrift Shops by repurposing them into industrial cleaning rags. These products will be sold to local businesses. This effort supports environmental sustainability, builds partnerships with community agencies, and creates local employment opportunities.
If this feels like a role that might fit you or someone you know, and you are excited about helping us test out this social enterprise, please apply by sending a resume and cover letter to Jodi VanNoord at jodivannoord@mcco.ca. Please include three references with the contact info. Printed copies of the job description are available at the Thrift shop.
Jodi VanNoord
Social Enterprise Pilot Lead
Canada Summer Jobs
In late June, we will welcome two employees through the Canada Summer Jobs program. Alistair Chambers will join our team as Warehouse Associate, and Henna Snyder will take on the Retail Associate role. Welcome, Alistair and Henna!
Strawberry Thanksgiving and Communion
Saturday, June 13 from 9am – 1pm at Six Nations Polytechnic in Oshweken, Ontario
You’re warmly invited to Strawberry Thanksgiving and Communion on Saturday, June 13, 2026. This year’s event will seek to build on the momentum of last year’s conversation about the Spiritual Covenant, which is a way to acknowledge Indigenous jurisdiction over lands through an annual token lease payment. $20 is recommended to help cover the cost of lunch. mcc.org/strawberry-thanksgiving
Lunch and Listen: MCC in Asia
Whether you can join live online at Facebook.com/ MCCOntario or in person at the MCC office in Kitchener, a Lunch and Listen is an opportunity to hear from workers in field internationally. On June 23, we’ll be joined by the area directors for MCC in Asia with a special update from Myanmar. No registration is required. Learn more at mcc.org/events
Learning Tour in Timmins, Ontario
Pack your bags and get ready to be inspired and learn as we embark on an exciting journey to connect and engage with organizations and partners of MCC Ontario’s Indigenous Neighbours program in Timmins, Ontario. mcc.org/events/timmins-learning-tour
