Our History

The idea of Outfitters began after Pendleton’s first Back-to-School Fair, a fundraising event put on by local churches to raise money to buy backpacks and school supplies for children on the free and reduced lunch program in the South Madison Community School Corporation.  Excess funds from the Fair prompted the idea of also providing clothes and shoes to these same children.

After much research and a visit to an organization in Florida with a similar mission, Michelle Marks and Mary Harvey started Outfitters in March 2005. Outfitters incorporated in September 2005 and received its 501(c)3 public charity designation from the IRS in July 2006.  Outfitters opened its doors in August 2006 and within three months had serviced over 350 children in the South Madison School Corporation.

Pendleton’s 2200 square foot store is located just outside the historic business district in Pendleton. Outfitters has formed partnerships with area churches, social service organizations, businesses and the South Madison Community School Corporation to provide an efficient system of providing quality clothing to children in need.

Since opening its doors, Outfitters has clothed over 1875 children by giving them over 50,000 pairs of underwear and socks, 35,000 shirts, 25,500 pants and over 4,000 shoe vouchers worth $25 to either Kohl's or Shoe Carnival . Outfitters has given many families hope by showing them that others care about them. Outfitters clients have confirmed that Outfitters is making a difference in their lives.  Click here to read some of our stories.