Coats for causes: Northern Minnesota coat drives underway in October

Numerous coat drives are offered throughout Northern Minnesota as the inevitable winter approaches. Although the weather outside is unseasonably warm at the moment, now is the time to donate.

Clean and gently used coats and other winter items will be accepted through Tuesday, Oct. 7, ahead of the United Way of Bemidji Area's planned distribution of coats 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 11 at First Lutheran Church.

Winter gear for men, women, children and infants can be dropped off at either Lueken’s Village Foods store or Dress Club Cleaners downtown.

United Way of Bemidji Area is also hosting a Coats for the Community drive in Blackduck. Donations will be accepted at Northwoods Lumber and Deerwood Bank through Oct. 11. The distribution will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 11 in the Blackduck High School commons area during student conferences.

The Brainerd Family YMCA and Knights of Columbus are accepting donations for children’s outerwear in the Brainerd area through Oct. 8.

Drop-off locations in Brainerd and Baxter include Anderson Cleaners, First Lutheran Church, Hubbard Radio, Live Well Chiropractic, the Westgate Mall and the Brainerd YMCA.

The Coats for Kids distribution will take place 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Westgate Mall, from the former JoAnn Fabrics entrance.

The United Methodist Church of Grand Rapids is hosting the Open Door Coat Rack, an annual event sponsored by area churches and volunteers. Donations of clean, gently used outerwear on hangers will be accepted at the church from 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 18, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 20-21.

Coats will be distributed 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 22 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 23.

There typically is a shortage of children’s snow pants, boots, waterproof mittens and gloves, and larger adult size coats. Donations of wool coats may not be accepted in all locations.

Know of a coat drive happening in your area? Email us at news@kaxe.org and we'll add the information to our story.