Local quilt preview to benefit MCC

Women stitch on a “scrappy stars” quilt at the Material Resources Center in Ephrata. Quilts like this will be on display during the annual quilt preview March 1-3. (Photo from MCC)

Over 3,000 volunteer quilters have been working tirelessly on the 100-plus quilts that will be displayed at this year’s quilt preview, March 1 through 3.

Held at Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) East Coast’s Material Resources Center, 517 W. Trout Run Road, Ephrata, the preview is an opportunity to view the quilts slated for auction at the 62nd annual Pennsylvania Relief Sale. Admission is free.

Quilt viewers are invited to vote for their favorite quilt by donating money. Each cent counts as one vote and goes toward the Pennsylvania Relief Sale’s My Coins Count collection. This year’s collection supports MCC’s food initiatives. MCC works with local partners around the world to make sure there is food for today, food for tomorrow and food for all.

Preview visitors can also shop Quilter’s Corner featuring fabric, linens, spools and related items, as well as upcycled items crafted from repurposed materials by volunteers. Used books and other contributed items will be available for purchase by donation.

In addition, tours of the Material Resources Center warehouse will be offered. The warehouse serves as a collection point in the U.S. for receiving, packing and shipping of material resources donated by people responding to aid requests from MCC partners worldwide.

Preview hours are Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The 62nd annual Pennsylvania Relief Sale will be held April 6-7, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. The event benefits MCC’s global relief, development and peacebuilding work. Last year’s sale raised $450,000 for MCC.

For more information about the quilt preview, call 717-733-2847.

For more information about the Pennsylvania Relief Sale, visit PAReliefSale.org or call 717-208-4152.

Submitted by Diana Williams, East Coast communications coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee.