Share the Warmth Coat Drive

Written by: Kate Snyder, Executive Assistant

My husband says I have too many coats. I disagree. Light-weight rain jacket. Heavy-duty rain coat. Brown wool pea coat. Black wool winter coat. Down ski jacket. Light-weight polar fleece jacket. Funky Tibetan wool jacket. Several semi-water-proof, mid-weight athletic jackets. Down ski vest. Clearly, each has a specific purpose and each is essential…

…or maybe not. I don’t feel too guilty when Josh gives me a hard time about the overflowing coat closet because, hey, he’s a guy. They have less stuff. But my conscience did start to prickle as we kicked off EECM’s annual Share the Warmth Fall Coat Drive.

Each year, EECM collects new or clean and gently used fall jackets and winter coats. These donations are then distributed to the men in our homeless shelter and the families who come to our food pantry. For some of these people, a warm coat could literally make the difference between life and death this winter. Ouch. That definitely makes you reevaluate the necessity of your wardrobe.

And so I have culled my own coat collection and identified several that will be going to the Coat Drive this year.

Do you have any superfluous outwear lurking unworn in your front closet? If so, share the warmth and bring them to:

EECM’s Drop-In Center
Fourth Presbyterian Church
5450 Friendship Avenue (corner of Friendship and Roup)
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Donations are accepted weekdays between 3 and 6 PM. We have a particular need for extra large men’s coats.

PS – If you already have a bare-bones closet, why not check out the local Salvation Army or Goodwill? They often have good-quality coats – you could pick up several to donate without breaking the bank.