During the 1970s, relief sales contributed about one-fourth of MCC's total income from its constituency. Lively participation of men, women, young people, and children has created networks and friendships across Mennonite, Amish, and Brethren in Christ denominational lines. Special talents and interests are nurtured as people serve on planning committees and contribute their skills in quilting, hog butchering, public relations, food service, arts and crafts, gardening, woodcraft, and home baking. Kickoff dinners or banquets are held prior to the sale in some areas to promote the sale and raise funds for sale expenses. In Kansas fellowship dinners have become popular since the first event in 1981.
Families volunteer to be guests or hosts.
On a designated Sunday, host families serve a meal to guests from other congregations assigned to them by a sale committee. In return for the dinner, the guests make a contribution to the relief sale budget. Additional money was raised through pledges from churches and Sunday school classes. In Manitoba, one person has raised substantial funds for sale expenses by taking pledges for his marathon run. Promoters interested in encouraging the wider public to attend the sales have turned to media coverage, including television public service announcements and radio talk shows.