Check your closet! Whatcom coat drive to help locals who need winter coats, how to help
A local coat drive is asking for donations, with the goal to help your Whatcom neighbors who may not have a winter coat as colder weather approaches.
The Interfaith Coalition of Whatcom County is hosting its annual winter coat drive and will accept coat donations through Oct. 11, according to a Sept. 23 news release from the coalition.
The donated coats will be given to anyone who asks for one and will be available at three local locations for those who want to pick one up. Last year 1,400 coats were collected, according to the coalition.
The Interfaith Coalition includes multiple congregations in Whatcom County, and has teamed up with Ridwell, a service that picks up hard-to-recycle materials from doorsteps, and the Ragfinery, a local nonprofit with a goal to reduce waste for this year’s drive.
“The Winter Coat Drive shows the mission of Interfaith Coalition in that it brings together the opportunity for people of all beliefs and backgrounds to collaborate in a really tangible and simple way. In that collaboration, we get to work together to meet one of the most basic needs of vulnerable people in Whatcom County,” Lindsay McGuirk, Interfaith Coalition’s communications and volunteer engagement manager wrote in an email to The Bellingham Herald.
Here’s how you can be a part of this year’s winter coat drive and help those in your community who may be in need of a winter coat:
What coats can I donate?
You don’t need to buy a brand new winter coat to donate to the drive. The fundraiser will accept both new and in-great-condition jackets. If you’re not sure if your coat is in good enough condition, the coalition advises you ask yourself: “Would I feel good about giving this coat to my best friend?”
The drive is asking for warm winter coats for children, teens and adults, ranging in sizes from XS to 2XL+, and styles for any gender.
Where can I donate?
Donations are excepted at five locations across Whatcom County.
Bellingham
First Christian Church will be accepting donations from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Oct. 11. The church is located at 495 E. Bakerview Road. To make a donation, park in the gravel lot off of the Deemer Road entrance and ring the doorbell at the learning center.
Ragfinery will collect donations from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays until Oct. 11 at 1421 N. Forest St.
Ferndale
The United Church of Ferndale will accept coats from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays through Fridays until Oct. 11 at 2034 Washington St.
Lynden
Lynden United Methodist Church will be accepting coat donations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays until Oct. 11 at 500 North 14th St.
Deming
St. Peter’s Catholic Church will collect donations from 3-5 p.m. on Thursdays Sept. 29 and Oct. 6 at 6210 Mt. Baker Highway.
Ridwell will also allow its subscribers to leave coats they wish to donate on their porches with the rest of their pickups from Oct. 2-13. Ridwell will then deliver the jackets to Interfaith Coalition.
Where can I get a free coat?
Coats will be distributed at three locations, and all are welcome to pick one out.
Bellingham
The Bellingham Food Bank will distribute jackets on Oct. 19 and 21, though distribution times have yet to be determined. The food bank is located at 1824 Ellis St. in Bellingham.
Ferndale
The United Church of Ferndale will give out jackets from 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 13, and from 3-6 p.m. on Oct. 14. The church is located at 2034 Washington St.
Deming
St. Peter’s Mission Church will hand out jackets from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 27 and is located at 6210 Mt. Baker Highway.
