Charitable Union

When we hear the words ‘not-for profit’ most of us think of charities that do good work locally, but that usually benefit someone else. It may come as a surprise that some charities are actually economic development resources for the entire community, not just to a small interest group.

That is exactly how Charitable Union views itself—an economic asset to the community. Yes, we do receive gifts of no-longer-needed clothing and household items, which we turn around and distribute free of charge to those in need. But, we don’t stop there. We help those who want to help themselves be contributing members of this community.

A bit of history first. Since 1887, we have provided clothing to children and families in need. Charitable Union was founded because a group of ecumenical women saw children on the street during school hours and asked them why they were not in school. The youth responded that they did not have clothes to wear to school. This group of women came together and changed those children's lives, one outfit at a time.

The idea of making it possible for those youngsters to attend school with decent clothes reduced the feeling of being ‘different’ from their more well off schoolmates. Over the decades, one of the driving forces of our volunteers, donors and staff has been to help instill pride in those who may not have as much.

Charitable Union is one of the oldest non-profit charities in the Greater Battle Creek area. We provide free clothing, bedding and small household items, to support families in need and to advocate with them for their independence and self-suffiency.

Our volunteer Board of Directors constantly and carefully considers what we do, whom we serve, and what we re-distribute from the donations. We make certain that the activities of the Charitable Union have an impact that is integral to the economic life of greater Battle Creek.

We serve those who live at or below the federal poverty guidelines throughout Calhoun County. We distribute close to 500,000 items each year to over 9,000 children, their families and single adults. Services include distributing career clothes for job seekers, steel-toed boots to workers, and clothing, bedding and small household items to victims of disasters.

Our mission is growing in importance as families struggle to survive the worsening economy. The numbers of children and adults we serve increased 107% since 2003; the numbers of items we collect and distribute grew 87% during that same period.

We hope you will check out our web pages that follow and learn more about the Charitable Union and its constancy of purpose since 1887.

Kim Staib, President
Kellogg Company

Martha Widdows-Witham, Vice-President
Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher PC

Bernice Curry-Pattin, Treasurer

Rev. Jim Sparks, Secretary
Pastor, North Avenue Church of God

Sioux Remer, At Large
Battle Creek Health Systems - Planning

Scott Foldenauer, Director
Kellogg Company

Debra Hammock, Director
Denso Manufacturing

Cynthia McIntosh, Director
Nurse

Dennis Martin, Director
Midwest Radio (WNWN)

Julia Manies, Director
Midwest Radio (WNWN)

Eric Morris, Director
Neighborhood Services
City of Battle Creek

Lynn Schmoll, Director
Consultant, Parkshore Associates

Rev. Karl Strenge, Director
Pastor, Redemption Lutheran Church

Brian Wensauer, Director
HUB International

Patti Staib, Interim Executive Director
Charitable Union