Kay Krapohl Smith, third from left, at the first Women’s Initiative Look Who’s Talking luncheon event in 2006.
‘Kay’s Way’ honors Kay Krapohl Smith by collecting personal hygiene products May 10-26
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More than half of all Isabella County residents live in poverty or can’t keep pace with the cost of living, even when working one or more jobs. And that was before COVID.
Now consider what women do when they can’t afford personal hygiene items to care for themselves or their daughters. Sometimes they can’t afford soap or shampoo. Sometimes they go without toothpaste or toothbrushes.
Kay Krapohl Smith.
Sometimes, they can’t buy supplies for their periods. One young woman at The Care Store said she made it through each month by stopping at gas station restrooms in order to roll up toilet paper to use.
Kay Krapohl Smith, daughter of Bob Krapohl, who founded Krapohl Ford & Lincoln with his brother, Harold, co-created the Women’s Initiative nearly 20 years ago through the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation to address needs and create empowering opportunities.
Her impact is the driving force behind Kay’s Way: The Women’s Initiative Drive to Support Women and Girls, May 10-26.
Working through The Care Store, the Women’s Initiative is collecting goods such as tampons, pads, hair products, lotion, soap, and bath, body and dental hygiene products.
Krapohl Ford & Lincoln is supporting the drive, with an F-150 truck in its showroom serving as a collection point for donated items. Krapohl also will have a special oil change day, May 26, donating 100% of all oil change purchases at Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center to The Care Store.
Weichert Realty on Broadway Street also will be a collection center, and individuals wanting to donate funds instead of dropping off goods may do so online through The Care Store.
“Kay Smith was a role model in our community through her deep support of women and girls,” said Erika Ross, who chairs the Women’s Initiative with Linda Coyne.
“We typically have a Kay’s Day social event each May that raises money for the Women’s Initiative. Kay’s Way pivots due to COVID, and yet continues to show the power of women and girls helping each other.”
The Women’s Initiative endowment launched in 2003 and now exceeds $500,000. It has granted more than $100,000 to local organizations, including funding phone/video-conference outpatient mental-health options last year after COVID-19 eliminated most in-person services.
Other grants have funded coats, boots, diapers, formula, tricycles and a lunch that introduced eighth-grade girls to careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
“Mom was a force for other women,” said Mark Smith, Kay’s son and third-generation co-owner and general manager of Krapohl. “Tom (Krapohl, current co-owner and Kay’s cousin) and I are excited to partner with the Women’s Initiative and Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation in advancing her legacy.”
When Kay passed away in 2008 at age 67, her obituary listed more than 20 volunteer organizations she served, mostly in leadership roles. She was the Mt. Pleasant Citizen of the Year in 2006.
The Care Store has had about 9,000 visits from local residents over the past year and is serving about 300 individuals/families a week during twice-monthly drive-up distributions at the William and Janet Strickler Nonprofit Center on High Street.
The Care Store typically works with social service agencies, schools and churches to provide personal hygiene and household cleaning products. It distributed more than $5,000 in feminine hygiene products January through March, Executive Director Kim McBryde said.
“It’s powerful for women to know their community cares about them,” she said. “I’m excited for everyone motivated by this drive, including 900-plus Women’s Initiative supporters and those just learning about Kay Krapohl Smith, to rally on behalf of all women and girls.”
Top 6 Women’s Supplies Needed by The Care Store
- Feminine hygiene/period products
- Soap, hand soap
- Shampoo, conditioner, styling products
- Toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, lip balm
- Lotion, moisturizer
- Women’s shaving cream
The Care Store has a complete list of items it needs the most, including those beyond women’s personal care.
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