Donations of Winter Clothes to The Salvation Army Saves Lives

Harsh Canadian winters can pose life-threatening challenges for people experiencing homelessness or those who are financially struggling and cannot afford proper winter clothing. Donating winter clothes to The Salvation Army is essential to help ensure that those in need do not have to worry about facing the cold.

The Salvation Army in Medicine Hat, Alta., runs a yearly program in association with CHAT News, called “Caring Coats”. Each winter, the community comes together and donates winter items to their local Salvation Army.

“We have reduced our numbers of frostbite cases drastically.”

Thanks to this program, many people’s lives have been positively affected.

“We have reduced our numbers of frostbite cases drastically,” says Louise Hart, community ministries coordinator at Medicine Hat.

“When you are in the vulnerable sector, it’s tough to hang on to things. Items get stolen or lost all the time, so we have the coats here, and they can come and access them as need be,” she adds.

Donations of coats, boots, gloves, socks and hats are available to anyone in need. The program assists not only individuals experiencing homelessness but also students and seniors.

“Our senior population right now is suffering, so this has been a great benefit to them,” Louise says.

Financially, retired seniors are having trouble making ends meet due to the high cost of living. Many of them in Medicine Hat access Salvation Army assistance programs such as food support. And not having the means to buy proper winter clothes, might prevent them from leaving the house to get the assistance that they need.

“I had a senior gentleman that made me cry because he said it was the best thing he’d ever been given.”

“They are now able to access the community resources much easier because our seniors can go out without freezing,” says Louise.

Clients who receive clothes are extremely thankful for the support.

“I had a senior gentleman that made me cry because he said it was the best thing he’d ever been given. He was so excited to receive this great, big, beautiful, warm coat. It was a brand-new parka-style jacket, and he was in tears,” Louise shares.

This year, Caring Coats collected around 100 coats, 50 winter boots, as well as six boxes filled with gloves, socks, and hats. The program runs throughout the winter until late March.

For those looking to donate, Louise says anything that prevents frostbite is helpful.

“Winter coats, the boots, the socks, the gloves. Another thing that people don’t think of is ChapStick (lip balm). We go through a lot of ChapStick because the lips and the face get so dry in this cold.”

For those needing help, The Salvation Army’s doors are always open.

By Juan Romero