Which niche proves rich in Michigan?

It’s Monday, and Circle K’ers at Michigan State University are going through piles of clothes at the Mission Free Store in Lansing, Michigan.

The “Free Store Squad” has a roaring-good time sorting through clothing.

Circle K’ers at Michigan State University used the In Action section of the Circle K Web site to spread the word about their Free Store project. All Kiwanis-family clubs are encouraged to use their respective online “In Action” site to share information and photos with other clubs.

“Would your grandma wear this?” one member asks a second. If the answer is “yes,” the garment gets special treatment—it gets hung up on the rack.

Once a week for the past several years, Circle K’ers have sorted through clothing and other donated items at the Free Store, which offers low-income families a place to “shop” for free.

“There is an element of surprise to this project,” says Serena Bearman, Circle K’er and Free Store project coordinator. “We never know what great treasures we could find. One night, there was a bag of leopard- and zebra-print shirts and scarves. Another time, there was a bag of clip-on ties in various colors and patterns. And once, there were some ’70s dresses.”

Circle K’ers promote the project, make and collect a sign-up sheet, and organize the driving schedule. They also promote the project at every meeting and by word-of-mouth on campus and within the community.

“Sometimes we don’t have a lot of people due to studying or exams; or, if there isn’t a regular club meeting it’s more difficult to promote,” Serena says.

But the project still proves popular for a handful of club members. Known as the Free Store Squad, these regular attendees have made the project even more of a hit by going out together after the sorting is finished and by just having a great time doing what they do best: community service.

“The club members really enjoy the project,” says Serena. “It really makes the 65-plus member club seem a lot smaller when members find their niche.”