Lansing screen-printing company raises $35,000 for local businesses

FRIDAY, May 8 — Lansing screen-printing company Flat Out Graphics is doing its part to help small businesses brave the impact of the coronavirus.

The I Am Lansing campaign, which is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, invites the community to purchase Lansing-themed t-shirts for $20 and select a local business to receive a donation of $13 from the transaction. So far, Flat Out Graphics has sold 2,190 shirts, raising $35,428 split between the 106 different businesses it has registered with the campaign. Flat Out Graphics will also contribute $1,000 to split between qualifying businesses that register with the campaign, and those not interested in purchasing a T-shirt can also opt to make a direct donation instead.

Flat Out Graphics owner Matt Crumb began his own charity effort after brainstorming ideas with other screen-printing shops on social media.

“The campaign got started after talking with other shops across the country through social media, and learning what they are doing to help businesses affected by the pandemic,” Crumb said.

Crumb’s own business has been affected by the economic calamity of the coronavirus. Despite the success of I Am Lansing, Crumb said Flat Out Graphics has experienced an 85 percent decrease in orders, and he’s had to lay off his four longtime employees.

“When it came time to say, ‘Hey, I have to lay you guys off because the work is simply not there,’ that impacted me pretty hard,” Crumb said. “Small business owners — we’re all one and the same. We take pride in our businesses and our staff.”

Considering the overwhelming amount of t-shirts ordered and I Am Lansing’s status as an officially registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Crumb is hoping the campaign can continue into the future.

“Maybe I Am Lansing can stick around for a while. Our hopes are that we can help businesses hurt by catastrophic events in the future or maybe we can grant money to small startups. The possibilities are endless.” Crumb said.

If you are interested in purchasing a t-shirt to support a small Lansing business, visit www.iamlansing.org.