:: Updated for 2014 ::
With cold weather and the start of the holiday season upon us, many Minnesotans need warm coats and other resources. If you have enough to share, or if your kids need coats, keep reading for a beginning list of places to find coats, clothing, toys for the holidays, and other assistance. If you know of another place that should be on the list, use the comments section or email paigeelliott@tcdailyplanet.net or editor@tcdailyplanet.net with places or opportunities to give or receive this holiday/winter season and we will update the article.
Find a location
How to donate | How to receive
Services: ARC is a thrift store that’s open 7 days a week. They accept gently used clothing and household items. More information from the website:
“The Arc is a nonprofit organization. And as Arc’s Value Village grows, so does our community impact. Last year, our stores generated more than $2 million for The Arc Greater Twin Cities’ programs that help adults and children with disabilities and our community.”
88 N 17th St, Minneapolis
612-333-1381
How to donate | How to receive
Services: Thrift store vouchers for clothes, household items, bus cards for the newly employed, gas cards, and more.
Information from the website:
“The Basilica St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Ministry began in 1995 as a ministry of listening, hospitality, and hope. Since then, Outreach Ministry has provided assistance to those in the community who are in need. Through the Outreach Ministry, volunteers meet with guests and listen to their stories in a spiritual context.“
1200 2nd Ave. South, Minneapolis
612-664-8500
How to donate | How to receive
Services: Housing assistance, meals and much more.
“Catholic Charities serves those most in need. We are a leader at solving poverty, creating opportunity and advocating for justice in the community. For over 140 years, Catholic Charities has served the poorest and most vulnerable of our community. Today, we are the largest comprehensive social service nonprofit in the Twin Cities region. Catholic Charities annually helps 35,000 people, regardless of faith.”
Hallie Q. Brown Community Center
270 N. Kent Street, Saint Paul
651-224-4601
How to donate | How to receive
Services: Provides food, clothing, small household items as well as an assessment of needs through Bridge to Benefits to determine eligibility of other resources. The food shelf also includes a “bonus area” open to anyone in need that supplies fresh produce, day old breads and other items donated from Mississippi Market, Trader Joes and Whole Foods. Pet food is also offered at the food shelf, so that people don’t have to choose between feeding their family and giving up a furry friend.
Hallie Q. Brown is celebrating 85 years this year! Information from the website:
As part of 85th Anniversary, we have set a goal of raising $8500.00 in the final 85 days of the year. You can make a tax deductible donation by clicking here. As an added bonus, if you make a contribution of at least $85 during our 85 Days of Donating campaign, you’ll receive our special 85th Anniversary Hallie Q. Brown lapel pin and a Hallie Q. Brown coffee mug.
1107 West 7th Street, Saint Paul
651-291-2472
How to donate | How to receive
Services: Free clothing store, including household items, children’s items and more.
“In fulfilling its mission as a free store providing goods and services to those in need, within an environment of dignity and respect, Joseph’s Coat maintains an inclusive philosophy toward the community’s neediest and often most marginalized members…”
1113 East Franklin Ave, Minneapolis
612-729-0554
How to donate | How to receive: One Warm Coat does not keep an inventory of coats; call 211 for info and referral services.
Information from the website:
Services: Free coats
“Our organization started in 1992 with a Thanksgiving weekend coat drive at one location in San Francisco.
Since then, we have welcomed thousands of groups across North America, who joined their efforts to ours with the same goal.”
614 3rd Street South, Minneapolis
612-332-4500
How to donate | How to receive
Services: One-on-one assistance, education, and referrals to outside resources.
Information from the website:
“People Serving People achieves its mission and goals by providing emergency housing and community services that assist families experiencing homelessness in becoming self-sufficient and reconnected with the community. In a safe, secure and sober environment, PSP provides services which cultivate independence and accountability.”
310 East 38th Street Minneapolis
612-821-2300
How to donate | How to receive
Services: Food shelf and clothing boutique
Information from the website:
“Resource Services provides one of the largest food shelves in the area. Food orders provide balanced nutrition for the entire family including a variety of meats, legumes, rice, pasta, cereal, canned goods and packaged foods, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables (in season), baby items, toiletries and even juice and dessert items. Families can also get free clothing and furniture, income tax filing, back to school supplies and holiday support. Through the program, 25,000 people a year gain food security and self-sufficiency.”
Salvation Army’s Coats for Kids
Find a location
How to donate | How to receive
The coat drive this year was Oct. 6 – 19, but you can still donate a coat.
From the website:
“Miss the coat drive? Salvation Army centers will still accept your donations of new and clean, gently-used coats and winter accessories (mittens, gloves, hats, snow boots, snow pants, etc.) to distribute throughout the winter as needs arise. You can also give online to help buy new coats. A $17 donation covers the cost of a warm winter coat for a kid in need.”
Sharing & Caring Hands (Mary Jo’s)
525 N 7th St., Minneapolis
612-338-4640
How to donate | How to receive
Services: Free clothing for all ages, including children
“Sharing and Caring Hands is a compassionate response to the needs of the poor. We are set up to be a safety net organization to help with whatever needs are not being met. This includes but is not limited to providing meals, clothing, showers, shelter, transportation help, rent deposits, rent help, medical assistance, dental care, furniture, school expenses, and other miscellaneous needs.”
Find a location
How to donate | How to receive
Information from the website:
“The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.”
And more lists:
Catholic Charities lists places to go for food, clothing, legal services and more. They also advise: “If you need immediate assistance, call First Call for Help: 2-1-1 or from a cell phone: 651-291-0211. They can help direct you to the nearest or most appropriate resource.”
Time to Organize has a list of places to donate various items, and here’s a list of clothing closets.
Also, as we previously reported, Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin (CAPSH) has taken over energy assistance responsiblities for the now defunct Community Action of Minneapolis. New CAPSH offices have recently opened up in south and north Minneapolis. Contact 952-930-3541 for more information.
Remember — you can add your list or favorite place to give/get help by commenting on this article.
Updated 11/24/2014 7:55 p.m.
Coverage of issues and events that affect Central Corridor neighborhoods and communities is funded in part by a grant from Central Corridor Funders Collaborative.
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