SUNDRE – About as soon as the snow started falling earlier this month, the coordinator of a program that for years has provided winter jackets at no cost for people in need was already prepared to launch the community supported and driven initiative.
Shelley Kohut originally spearheaded Coats for the Cold as part of a Bible study assignment more than 10 years ago that challenged participating groups to consider ways to enact a positive impact on the community.
The rack has already been up for several weeks in front of Heart n Hand Creations and Gifts, located downtown immediately north of the Highway 27-Main Avenue corridor between 2nd and 3rd streets NW next to Subway.
“Last year was so cold we had them out there for many months,” she said. “But this year it was such a nice fall we didn’t put them out until later.”
The initiative is supported through an online non-profit called Neighbours Helping Neighbours with a physical presence represented by Heart n Hand Creations and Gifts.
But the gift store struggled through the pandemic, she said.
“It didn’t do well during COVID,” she told the Albertan. “So, we’ve turned the whole thing into a thrift store and we still run our two auctions a week for Neighbours Helping Neighbours.”
The non-profit also makes available many gift cards for food, with some people donating meat that in turn is distributed back to families in need, she said.
And of course warm, clean winter jackets are also welcome to help ensure the Coats for the Cold racks remain well stocked, and can be dropped off behind the shop at the back door, she said.
“We definitely are always looking for coats,” she said. “And if somebody had another coat rack to donate, we could sure use it.”
Betty Rose, who works at the thrift store, added any winter apparel – including for example warm boots, mittens, scarves and toques – can also prove beneficial to somebody in need.
However, Kohut added that anyone who wants to donate regular apparel should instead deliver such items to the Sundre Thrift Shop, located just off the Bergen Road, or 5th Street SE, near the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #223.
“We don’t want to compete with the other thrift store so we don’t take clothing,” she added.
“We only take smaller household goods,” she said. “If somebody has larger household goods, we can only take it by way of a picture and then have it picked up at their property because we don’t have enough room to store big stuff.”
Kohut also encourages anyone who is planning to donate a jacket to first ensure it is clean and fully functional.
“If they want to donate coats, we really appreciate if they’re clean and in good working order,” she said. “Sometimes we get dirty coats or we get coats with no zippers.”
The same applies for auction item donations. Although the non-profit generally receives nicer items, some are destined for the landfill.
“It is nice if they bring them in good order, because otherwise we just have to throw them out,” she said. “One of our monthly expenses is a trip to the dump.”
She said there are also two weekly online auctions conducted over social media that close Monday and Thursday nights.
All of the proceeds generated through the thrift store go back into Neighbours Helping Neighbours to help people in Sundre and the surrounding area, she said.
“We do a lot of seniors that need rides to either Red Deer or Calgary for a hospital (appointment),” she said. “We help pay for their bussing.”
- RELATED: Providing warmth during cold spells
