One-Of-A-Kind Coverage for Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale
Property and Casualty client of ours, Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale, sat down with Conrade Insurance to discuss what makes their business a staple to many, how coverage can be tricky for home-made goods like theirs, and why they chose us for their insurance needs.
Business & Origin Story
Tell us the story of your business. What inspired you to start it?
The Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale began in 1968 as a way for Mennonite, Brethren in Christ, and Amish congregations across Kansas to support the global humanitarian and peace-building work of Mennonite Central Committee. What started as a shared effort among more than 70 congregations has grown into an annual two-day event that brings thousands of people together around one mission: serving people throughout the world who are facing violence, hunger, disease, and other serious hardships. During the sale’s 58-year history, an estimated $25 million has been raised for MCC’s work. In 2026 alone, a record $850,000 was contributed through product sales and donations.
What makes your business one-of-a-kind?
KMRS is unique because the entire event is powered by volunteers. There is no paid staff. Our 24-person Board begins planning the next year’s sale within days of the current event ending, and hundreds of volunteers from across Kansas contribute their time, talents, products, and financial resources. The sale includes five distinct auctions and dozens of booths spread throughout seven of the largest buildings on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. From handmade quilts and donated vehicles to food, children’s activities, and other specialty items, every part of the event reflects the generosity and dedication of the communities involved.
What makes your business one-of-a-kind?
Most attendees do not see the amount of preparation required to safely coordinate an activity-intensive event that welcomes approximately 20,000 people over two days. Planning involves securing hundreds of key volunteers, coordinating with State Fair personnel, managing multiple auctions and booths, and overseeing activities across several large buildings. Bringing together that many people, volunteers, vendors, donated items, vehicles, food operations, and activities creates risks and responsibilities that must be carefully considered long before the event begins.
Why is it important for you to protect something you’ve worked so hard to build?
KMRS represents decades of service, generosity, and commitment from congregations and volunteers throughout Kansas. Protecting the sale helps ensure that this important tradition can continue and that the money raised can fulfill its intended purpose of supporting MCC’s humanitarian work. We place great importance on keeping event expenses as low as possible so that the greatest possible contribution can be made to MCC. Having the right protection in place allows us to preserve both the event and the mission it serves.
The Partnership with Conrade
Before working with Conrade, what were you looking for in an insurance partner?
We needed an insurance partner that understood more than the size and complexity of the event. We wanted someone who could appreciate the mission behind KMRS and recognize why controlling expenses is so important to us. Our goal is always to maximize the amount we can give to MCC rather than allowing sale proceeds to be consumed by operating costs. We needed a partner who could help us address the unique risks of the event while respecting that greater purpose.
What stood out to you about how Conrade took the time to understand your business?
Conrade understands that KMRS is not simply a large public event. Because of the faith background of Conrade’s leadership, they understand the values that guide the sale, the mission of MCC, and the importance we place on serving people in need. They recognize why we depend heavily on donated goods and services and why every expense matters. That understanding allows them to approach our insurance needs with the full mission of the organization in mind.
How does working with Conrade give you peace of mind as a group?
Coordinating an event of this size involves many moving pieces and unique exposures. Working with an insurance partner that understands both the operational challenges and the deeper purpose of the sale gives us confidence that our needs are being considered thoughtfully. Conrade helps us balance responsible protection with our responsibility to maximize the contribution we ultimately make to MCC.
Values & Recommendations
How have you seen Conrade’s values in action?
We have seen these values most clearly in Conrade’s effort to understand who we are and why the sale exists. They have taken the time to look beyond the immediate insurance needs of the event and understand the people, congregations, volunteers, and global mission behind it. Their approach demonstrates a genuine relationship and a commitment to helping us make responsible decisions while remaining focused on our purpose.
What would you tell another business owner who’s looking for the right insurance partner?
We would encourage them to look for a partner who takes the time to understand not only what their organization does, but also why it matters. Conrade has shown a willingness to understand our mission, our financial priorities, and the unique challenges of coordinating a large volunteer-led event. That level of understanding makes them a valuable partner for an organization working hard to protect what it has built while continuing to serve others.
