In the nearly eight years since Clothing Inc. opened its doors at the Stricker Nonprofit Center in Mt. Pleasant, more than 50,000 community members have been given 800,000-plus pieces of clothing.
Clothing Inc. got its humble start when employees from Eydent Insurance wanted to adopt families during the holiday season, which soon grew into a realization that the need was larger than just a few families in the area.
Established in the basement of the Church of the Nazarene to help clothe people in need, Clothing Inc. in October 2017 became part of a collaborative effort in Isabella County to reduce poverty by partnering with United Way, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, the Care Store, Isabella County Restoration House and the Community Compassion Network Food Pantry.
Today, Clothing Inc. continues to provide free clothing, opportunities and community connections to anyone in need through relational and educational care.
As a non-profit, Clothing Inc. has an operating budget paid for by grants, private donations and fundraisers.
During the first weekend in April, Clothing Inc. is holding the “Clothing Inc. Express” fundraiser that includes two round-trip train rides between Mt. Pleasant and Clare that will feature three different experiences.
Sponsored by Members First Credit Union, Garr Tool and Jan Strickler, the fundraiser includes tickets sponsored by Mountain Town Station that takes 25% off the price with the promo code MTS25.
Clothing Inc. Executive Director Bryan Chapman said the fundraiser will feature both coach and first class seating when a train from the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso heads to Clare from Mountain Town Station at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, April 5.
Although a first class, full dinner during the 6 p.m. ride is sold out, there are plenty of tickets remaining for other seats on the train.
During the 2 p.m. ride, $65 coach tickets include a train ride and snack bag, while the first class, $100 tickets include charcuterie and a drink ticket.
For the 6 p.m. ride, coach tickets that include charcuterie and a drink ticket are $100.
Tickets are available online at https://www.clothinginc.org, or those who can’t obtain them online can go to the Strickler Center at 1114 W. High St. Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for assistance with ticket purchases.
All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Clothing Inc.
Chapman said the goal is to raise $40,000 to $50,000 between ticket sales and sponsors.
“We wanted to provide an event for families to do something together,” Chapman said. “And support Clothing Inc. at the same time.”
There are a total of 700 tickets for the train rides, which are being brought to Mountain Town Station by the same organization that brings the Polar Express to communities during the holiday season.
Parking will be at Mountain Town Station, where volunteers will direct ticketholders where to leave their vehicles.
