What makes MCC thrift shops the best?

In this episode, Ken Ogasawara goes behind the scenes of MCC Thrift to follow the life of a donation—from the moment it’s received to the moment it finds a new home (or gets repurposed in surprising ways). Along the way, we hear from Mark Patfield, General Manager of the MCC New Hamburg Thrift Centre, who offers a window into the care, structure, and decision-making that shape what ends up on the shelves.

The episode also introduces us to some of the people who make these spaces what they are. Volunteers like Isabella, and longtime contributors Edna and Margaret, describe a culture that’s hard to replicate elsewhere—one marked by joy, purpose, and a shared sense that even small tasks matter.

At the same time, Ken reflects on the tension many of us feel living in a culture that constantly pushes us to buy more. The familiar phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle, renew” takes on new meaning here—not as a slogan, but as a set of choices that can shape how we live, spend, and relate to one another.

Undercurrents is hosted by Ken Ogasawara, with production support from Christen Kong. Theme music by Brian MacMillan. Cover art by Jesse Bergen. Executive produced by Sandra Reimer.

This episode is sponsored by Kindred Credit Union.

If you have questions or thoughts about the episode, you can reach us at [email protected].