The Strickler Center combines efforts to make a difference
Six nonprofits. One roof. Thousands of neighbors served. The Strickler Center in Mt. Pleasant makes it easier for neighbors to help neighbors. Plus, WCFX’s annual Caravan of Care returns through Jan. 30. Here’s how it all works—and how you can be part of it.
The Strickler Center located at 1114 W. High Street in Mt. Pleasant offers affordable, centralized space for nonprofit organizations. Photo Courtesy Darcy Orlik
Are you wishing to help others in the community, but are unsure how to efficiently and accurately reach those in need? Do you wonder what specific donations are needed? Or where the safe and preferred drop-off centers are?
The answers to these questions can be found at The William and Janet Strickler Nonprofit Center, located at 1114 W. High Street in Mt. Pleasant. Developed to offer affordable, centralized space for non-profit organizations, the Center houses six non-profit organizations with the majority providing food, clothing, and personal care items to those in need.
Current Center tenants include:
- Community Compassion Network’s Food Pantry, Nutrition Club, and Infant Pantry
- Clothing INC provides free clothing, opportunities and community connections.
- The Care Store provides essential personal and household items.
- Adoption Option offers adoption, foster care, and family preservation services.
- AARP Foundation SCSEP’s Senior Community Service Employment Program
- EightCAP offers programs to alleviate poverty causes, helping individuals become self-sufficient.
“Many do not realize it, but The Strickler Center is an independent nonprofit, run by a volunteer working board,” says Michelle Mease, Strickler Center board president.
“Building maintenance expenses, utilities and other costs associated with the building are paid for by the Center,” she explains. “Therefore, our board is responsible for fundraising efforts to ensure the building is in good working order as well as providing free IRide transportation to individuals visiting the Center’s six housed agencies.”
Benefits of Sharing Space
Non-profit organizations housed at the Strickler Center not only acquire affordable space in a prime location but also offer convenience and accessibility to their guests.
Julia Eigenbrood, executive director of The Care Store, explains how their guests benefit from the Center’s set up: “Transportation is an issue for many, so being a ‘one-stop shop’ where people can access care products, food, and clothing all under the same roof is such a blessing. Once a guest receives a referral from an Isabella County caseworker or one of the more than fifty referring agencies, they simply need to contact The Care Store to make a shopping appointment.
Clothing INC showcases the benefit of accessibility not only for its guests, but for its donors as well.
“Families can access multiple services in one place,” Clothing INC executive director, Bryan Chapman, observes. “By reducing barriers, it is easier for them to identify available resources. It is also more convenient for donors who no longer have to travel to multiple locations to drop off their donations.”
Clothing INC provides a drop box located on the east side of the building and can be accessed 24/7. Larger donations are able to be delivered between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. All donations must be bagged and not left outside.
Space and accessibility are also benefits of the Community Compassion Network’s Food Pantry and the William Ellis Brockman Infant Pantry. Resembling a grocery store, guests are escorted through their pre-scheduled shopping appointment by a volunteer. The volunteer also assists with food item selection and loading groceries into a vehicle if needed. The amount of supplemental food guests receive is determined by family size and includes enough food for three days.
WCFX Caravan of Care
For many years, WCFX 95.3 has been hosting the week-long Caravan of Care in the Mt. Pleasant community, with the sole mission of helping others. This year, the Caravan will take place from January 26 – 30, 2026, with proceeds benefiting the entire Strickler Center and its six nonprofit organizations.
The event-filled week features endless opportunities for residents to make a difference and drop off their donations. Plus, if you plan on catching a ride with IRide between January 26 through 29, you can take part in the “Food for Fare” promotion by donating a non-perishable food item. This will entitle you to ride for free.
Tuesday, Jan. 27: The Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business After Hours from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Center. Do not forget, you can take the CFX-95 Challenge at any time when your business pledges $95 to the Caravan.
Wednesday, Jan. 28: WCFX is live on location at Isabella Bank (139 E. Broadway Street) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 29: WCFX is also live at the Central Michigan University Research Corporation (2625 Denison Drive) from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 30: Finally, WCFX is live on location at the Center from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. At this time, you can also drop off your donation and take a tour.
Mt. Pleasant Donation Drop Off Locations:
Barn Door Bar & Restaurant – M-20 and Coldwater Road
Blystone & Bailey – 619 S. Mission Street
Central Michigan University Research Corporation – 2625 Denison Drive
GreenTree Grocery – 410 W. Broadway Street
Isabella Bank, 139 E. Broadway Street
Isabella Community Credit Union – 2400 S. Isabella Road
Precision Garage Door – 3727 S. Isabella Road
The Twisted Fork – 1418 S. Mission Street
While discussing this year’s schedule of events, WCFX’s Angie Evans reflected on past Caravans, and described the power of our community joining forces.
“With a concerted effort to gather and distribute resources, valuable donations do not go to waste. They get to the right place at the right time,” she says, recalling an example of perfect timing when a widower was struggling with the thought of letting go of their spouse’s clothing, he felt comforted when once he realized how his donation helped so many others.
How to Donate
There are a variety of ways to donate. If you are unable to visit any of the Caravan of Care drop-off locations, an online option is available. Simply visit the Strickler Center website to donate to the Strickler Center proper, or any of the other nonprofits located there. Checks made payable to a specific Center nonprofit are also accepted. Monetary donations are greatly appreciated as they significantly increase a nonprofit’s purchasing power.
If you wish to donate specific food, clothing, and personal care items, please review the wish lists shared on the Strickler Center website.
How to Volunteer
Individuals are needed to help these organizations continue their mission of providing aid to people in our community. Multiple volunteer roles are available to fit your interests. Those interested are encouraged to visit the individual nonprofit organizations’ websites linked above for more information.
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