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Back to School Press Release 2024
Teresa Allen, C.E.O. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 07/05/24
Charitable Union
85 Calhoun St.
Battle Creek, MI 49017
(269) 964-7234
teresa@charitableunion.org
BACK TO SCHOOL CLOTHING DRIVE
Battle Creek, MI – The tradition of providing school clothing for children is the reason Charitable Union was founded 137 years ago. We believe that children need a proper education to succeed later in life, and we are committed to that mission today. In August we will be setting up a “mobile store” and traveling throughout the county to serve kids.
We need your assistance! We are running low on supplies of the following items and hope that you can help us out:
- BOY’S pants sizes 4-20 and underwear in sizes medium-XL
- . GIRL’S pants in sizes 7, 8, 10, 12, and 18 and shirts in sizes large-XL or 16, 18, and 20.
- · MEN’S pants waist in sizes 25-33 and underwear in size medium.
- · WOMEN’S pants in sizes 4, 5, and 7 and shirts in sizes medium and XL and underwear in sizes 5 and 8.
Donations can be dropped off at any of the following locations during their normal hours of operation until July 31st:
· Battle Creek Tile & Mosaic
· Calhoun County Visitors Bureau
· Ermisch Travel
· Gift Shop @ Charitable Union
· Grand Trunk Employees Credit Union
· Grandma's Toys & Treats & Grandma's Baby Boutique
· Honor Credit Union (all three locations)
· Kellogg Community College Bookstore
· Kellogg Community Credit Union
· OMNI Community Credit Union (all three locations)
· Pet Supplies Plus
· Insurance Network (Battle Creek location)
· Sturgis Bank
· Sunshine Toyota
· The ARC of Calhoun County
· Worgess Insurance Agency
In August, our staff and volunteers will load up trucks and create mobile stores throughout the county. We will be visiting Albion, Harper Creek, Homer, and Marshall in addition to our Battle Creek events. Charitable Union, CEO Teresa Allen said, “We are looking forward to another great year of serving the community. We know families are struggling right now and how helpful these new outfits are to the entire family.
“Our Battle Creek event will be by appointment only again this year. Families can start making appointments on July 17th” Allen said. “Families who need an appointment can make them over the phone Monday through Wednesday from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m or while they are shopping in our Free Store.
Who can participate in these events? Families living in Calhoun County, with children in grades Kindergarten through 12th, who have an active Bridge/Medicaid/WIC card. Parents will need to bring a photo ID and their Bridge/Medicaid/WIC card to the event.
Would you like to volunteer? These events strain our limited staff and many of our volunteers who are getting ready for back to school themselves. If you are available to help in August, you can email Nicole@CharitableUnion.org or call (269) 964-7234 to sign-up. “Many hands make light work,” said Nicole Frohlich, Operations Manager. “We can always use volunteers, but August is a challenging month for us. Many of our volunteers have vacations or are preparing their families for back to school limiting their availability. This is compounded by our off-site events that take our staff out of the office.”
About Charitable Union
The Charitable Union provides clothing, personal care items, baby formula, steel-toed shoes, and household items FREE OF CHARGE to Calhoun County residents who have a Bridge, Medicaid, or WIC card. Charitable Union serves seniors, adults, the homeless, and children at our store located at 85 Calhoun Street, as well as through events like our Back-to-School and Winter Coat distributions throughout the county.
Charitable Union’s Free Store is open weekly from Monday through Wednesday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekly and the 2nd Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon. Individuals needing assistance should bring their Bridge, WIC, or Medicaid card, along with a photo ID showing their residence in Calhoun County and Social Security card. For more information, please call: 269-964-7234 or visit our website: www.charitableunion.org.
Donations are accepted Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. All donations can be placed in the pink bins located in our parking lot.
Another Decorated Table in the Books
Such a fun night! 2024 Decorated Table is now a memory. We had great fun and want to share with you photos of the event. The winning table "BEST DECORATED TABLE" went to Goodwill Industries! It was all Popcorn and Fun for them! Maybe will a smack of butter! Congratulations.
Jeans Day 2024
On January 25, 2024, organizations, companies and schools from around the area will invite their employees to pay $5.00 to spend the day in jeans at work. That money will come to Charitable Union and help us with our program needs: buying Back-to-School clothing for kids, Winter coats for kids and so much more. Want to help? Send an email to: info@charitableunion.org or call 269-964-7234 and get more information.
Decorated Table 2024
Click here for more information on this year's Decorated Table Event