Mid Michigan Community Action
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  • Cat's Meow
 

The Cat's Meow Thrift Store

Fun. Funky. Full of Finds.
​
Welcome to The Cat’s Meow, your go-to thrift destination in Essexville! We’re all about affordable treasures, community connection, and second chances for people and for the items you donate. Whether you're shopping, donating, or volunteering, you're part of something bigger here.
Location and Hours | Donations | Volunteer | What You'll Find | More Than a Thrift Store

Visit Us!

Location: 1465 W. Center Rd, Essexville, MI
Hours
  • Monday-Friday 10 AM-5:30 PM
  • Saturday-Sunday Closed unless otherwise posted
Special Hours
  • Wednesday, December 24: Closed
  • Thursday, December 25: Closed
  • Thursday, January 1, 2026: Closed
Phone:​ 989-229-0850

Donate Gently Used Items

Have items you no longer need? Give them a second life! Your donations keep great stuff out of landfills and help us serve more people in more ways.

We accept clean, lightly used items, including
  • Clothing and accessories
  • Household items
  • Books, movies, music
  • Furniture
  • Home décor
  • And more
 
Due to safety, space, and health concerns, we cannot accept mattresses and box springs. 

​Donations are accepted between 10 AM-4 PM Monday-Friday.

​Please do not leave donations unattended after hours.

Volunteer with Us

Looking for a fun, flexible way to give back? Join the Meow Crew. Volunteers help keep the store running smoothly and make a real impact on our community. Whether you have a few hours a week or a few hours a month, we’d love to have you.

Volunteer Opportunities Include:
  • Sorting donations
  • Organizing merchandise
  • Stocking on the sales floor
  • Creating displays or assisting with special projects

Ready to get started? Click the button below to complete an interest form!
Volunteer Interest Form

What You'll Find

We carry a constantly changing mix of gently used clothing, furniture, housewares, books, records, accessories, decor, and more. Our inventory depends on community donations, so no two visits are ever the same.

All specials are in-store only. Come by to see what’s currently featured.
​
Whether you're on the hunt for something specific or just browsing for fun, there's always something new to discover.

More Than a Thrift Store

The Cat’s Meow is part of Mid Michigan Community Action, a nonprofit that has served our region for almost 60 years.

Because we are part of the agency, store revenue may occasionally help fill small gaps when someone in our community is in need and other resources are not available. This might include times when a family needs help with something outside our usual programs. Every purchase and donation helps us be more flexible and responsive when it matters most.
​
When you shop with us, you're not just finding great deals, you’re helping your neighbors as well.

Every donation, every purchase, every hour volunteered makes a difference. Thank you for being part of The Cat’s Meow family.
Logos, Michigan Community Action, Equal Opportunity Statement, United Way Logo, Community Action Partnership Logo

Hours

Monday-Thursday from 8 AM-4:30 PM
Friday from 8 AM-4 PM
​Closed daily from 12-1 PM
Locations

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
  1. mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. fax:
    (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    [email protected]​

https://www.fns.usda.gov/civil-rights/nds

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

This website is supported by Grant Number 05CH012316 and 05CH011635 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Mid Michigan Community Action Agency and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Mission, Vision, and Belonging Statement
    • Board of Directors
    • Leadership Team
    • Featured Employees
    • Newsroom
    • Annual Report
    • Community Needs Assessment
    • Form 990s
  • Get Involved
    • Events
    • Volunteer Portal
    • Donations
    • Board Meeting Portal
    • Community Spotlight
    • Advocacy Portal
  • Careers
    • Open Positions
    • Requests for Proposal
    • Benefits
    • What It's Like to Work Here
  • Programs and Services
    • Children & Families >
      • Early Head Start
      • Early Head Start Interest Form
      • Head Start Preschool
      • Head Start Preschool Application
      • WIC
      • Policy Council
    • Home Energy and Utility Assistance >
      • Weatherization
      • Utility Resources
    • Housing Stability >
      • Housing Counseling
      • Senior Housing
    • Income and Budgeting >
      • Tax Preparation Assistance
      • Financial Capability Workshops
    • Homeownership Support
    • Food and Nutrition >
      • Senior Food
      • Clare County Food Pantry
    • Homeless Solutions
    • Stories
  • Contact Us
    • Need Help?
    • Locations
    • Media and Marketing
    • Staff Portal
  • Cat's Meow