Women and girls find support from Women’s Initiative group’s efforts
Two decades into its mission, the Mt. Pleasant Women’s Initiative continues to grow and find ways to assist women and girls in Isabella County.
The group serves as the committee managing the Women’s Initiative Fund at the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation. The endowed fund has awarded more than $150,000 in grants since giving out its first $500 in 2005, two years after the fund was created.
Kay Krapohl Smith, daughter of Bob Krapohl, who founded Krapohl Ford & Lincoln with his brother, Harold, co-founded the Women’s Initiative 20 years ago with local philanthropist and community champion Judy Smith.
Kay’s Way is how the Women’s Initiative honors the memory of Kay while calling attention to the latest needs of women and girls. This year’s Kay’s Way supply drive will be conducted May 10-24, and Krapohl Ford & Lincoln again will serve as a drop-off hub. Last year, supplies overflowed from the bed of an F-150 on the dealership showroom floor to support the group’s effort. Also, Weichert Realtors/Broadway Realty returns as another drop-off site for supplies.
On May 18, every dollar — every penny — spent by customers on oil changes at the Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center at Krapohl will go to the Women’s Initiative for the Kay’s Way drive.
The supply drive will benefit three charitable causes. The Care Store and Clothing INC again are part of the drive, and new this year is The William Ellis Brockman Infant Pantry, which is part of Community Compassion Network. All three have space at The William and Janet Strickler Nonprofit Center on High Street.
Clothing INC is in its 10th year, and its volunteer staff works with families by appointment to help them pick out donated gently used or new clothing. Executive Director Bryan Chapman said appointments often are booked four or five weeks out. On a typical day, Clothing INC can schedule 10 families. Chapman said the Kay’s Way drive in 2022 helped families obtain clothing they needed, and grants from the foundation paid for items generally not donated, especially women’s underwear and bras.
“Those items are so expensive,” he said. “The grants help us meet the need.”
The Infant Pantry moved to The Strickler Nonprofit Center in 2021 from its previous home in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church. Volunteers work with Isabella County families with children from 0 to 4 years old, supplying them with formula, baby food, diapers and baby care products.
“Our mission is to help women and girls in our community,” said Shannon Vautrin Browne, co-chair of the Women’s Initiative with Leah Rau. “What better way to help with them being new mothers, and including infants is a good fit for this event.”
The Care Store, led by Executive Director Julia Eigenbrood, works through more than 30 local agencies — such as the Commission on Aging and Salvation Army — whose case workers or staff members assign individuals and families “Care Bucks.” At The Care Store, Isabella County residents can use the Care Bucks to purchase personal hygiene and household cleaning products.
All three agencies have wish lists for the Kay’s Way supply drive:
The Care Store: Shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, razors/shaving cream, body lotion and wash, feminine hygiene products.
Clothing INC: Bras (larger sizes), women and girls underwear, socks, other clothing for women and girls.
Infant Pantry: Formula (any kind), bottles, bottle brushes, sippy cups with hard and or soft tops, teething biscuits. Also: Care items such as baby shampoo, wash, lotion, diaper creams, pacifiers, teethers. A longer wish list is on the Infant Pantry website.
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