Today is Charity Day at the MCC Thrift Shop in Portage la Prairie at 149 Saskatchewan Ave E, and proceeds go toward Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity steering committee chair Charlie Clifford says they consider MCC one of their partners.

Charlie Clifford"We've been invited by MCC to be their charitable organization. We've done that before with them. We consider MCC one of our partners, because we also have the opportunity to have some of our people work there as well to fill up their sweat equity. So, we're always excited when we get a day at MCC."

Sweat equity is work performed by those chosen to obtain a home from the program as part of their payment.

Clifford notes MCC has been with the program from the start.

"It hasn't always been charitable days, but it's certainly been a place for our people to go in and get in their sweat equity hours, because there's no way you can get in your sweat equity hours on the build alone. You just can't. And most of the time they're working at other things as well to make a living. So, they're not free to come during the day when we're building."

He outlines how people involved with Habitat for Humanity cooperate with MCC.

"Our people will be there just sort of to answer questions, and to do whatever MCC can see us doing, I guess. Some people will bag things for people, and other people will just walk around and help people out -- sort of figure out where the things are in the store before the doors open at ten o'clock."

Clifford says the fund raiser is crucial to their next project.

"We're looking to do a fair bit of fund raising before next build because we're hoping to build two houses. Now that we're buying land, we've used up a fair bit of money. So, we need to do some fundraising so we can build the two houses. We'll build one, anyway. But I would like to see two built. That's what we're going to do in 2017. We have two lots side by side which helps in doing a build. We wouldn't do two builds unless we had them side by side, because it's too much running around. And there's a lot more organization needed for separate lots in different parts of the city. They're on Lorne Avenue. They're close to Third Street East."

He adds, "I want to thank people for the support that they do give Habitat For Humanity in Portage. We know that it is a community builder because we see people from all over the community coming and helping. There's a lot of curiosity about Habitat For Humanity. But I think we're past the stage where we have to tell people that these people are buying their houses. They're not being given the houses. So, we've come a long way since our beginnings. We've had eight houses built now. So, the two more would be ten. When I got involved with the organization this is what I set as a goal. And I was hoping I could stay long enough to finish ten houses."