Get rid of your old gear at these Twin Cities winter coat drives (and score a deal in the process)

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November is nearly upon us. Sadly, that means now is the time to officially swap out your wardrobe from shorts and t-shirts to wool sweaters and puffy vests. Winter is coming, people. And Minnesotans know better than most how stupid cold and miserable it can get during the winter months

Unfortunately, without being able to afford proper warm winter gear, a lot of our neighbors will go cold throughout the holidays and winter months. But you can help – in an a fairly simple way – by simply donating your old coats to one of the many coat drives happening around the Twin Cities.

As you’re rummaging through your closest trying to find your best, most fashionable fleece and contemplating, yet again, why you have chosen to live in a frozen tundra, set aside some of your old jackets, heavy winter coats, and hats and gloves that don’t fit or aren’t your style anymore to donate to one of the following coat drives. Not only will you make extra space in the closet, you’ll be able to help out families and kids in need as well.

Twin Cities Winter Coat Drives

Burlington

It’s most likely not a huge surprise that a store that sells coats would in fact also hold a coat drive. Burlington is holding their annual Warm Coats & Warm Hearts Drive in partnership with Good Morning America and the national nonprofit Delivering Good. You can go to any of Burlington’s store locations and donate one of your old, gently used coats by placing it in the big red and white coat drive bin, where it will be donated to someone in need in our community.

Plus, there’s a deal in it for you. (Other than the joy of helping people, of course.) When you donate a coat you’ll receive 10% off your entire next purchase at Burlington.

J. Crew

J. Crew is partnering with One Warm Coat, a national nonprofit working to provide a free, warm coat to any person in need, and will be hosting a coat drive at all of their store locations from October 16 through December 25. Bring in a gently worn coat or piece of outerwear to donate and you will receive $25 off a purchase of $125 or more at J. Crew.

AMEC Home Loans

AMEC Home Loans – The Higgins Group is also partnering with One Warm Coat to put together their first annual coat drive. They will be collecting gently used coats and other winter accessories at their office on November 10th hosting a special event that will include tacos and drinks for anyone stopping by to donate. If you can’t make the coat drive event you can also drop off coats and other items before November 10.

Wilsons Leather

Wilsons Leather in Eagan and in Albertville are holding coat drives during the month of October ending on Sunday, October 28 — so you’ll want to donate soon. They are asking for new or gently used jackets and coats that will be donated to Warm Coats for McLeod Communities.

Wilsons Leather will also give you a deal for 15% off any one of Wilsons Leather outerwear pieces though you will have to use the discount that same day. 

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army’s Coats for Kids program has been keeping Minnesota kids warm for more than 30 years. This year the Twin Cities Salvation Army’s official coat drive runs through the month of October though they will accept coats and other winter gear donations all throughout the year. You can drop off your donations at one of the many Salvation Army centers around the cities.

Joseph’s Coat

Joseph’s Coat is a nonprofit that aims to help those in need in our community. They will take all sorts of items, but right now they are specifically looking for new or gently used fall and winter clothing and accessories. You can drop off your donations on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 2pm.

STEP

Serving the St. Louis Park community, STEP accepts donations of new and gently used clothing and linens. During the colder months of the year, they especially need winter coats, mittens, hats, scarves, winter boots, and blankets or quilts. You can bring your items to the back of the STEP building during business hours, pull up in the alley and ring the doorbell. One of the volunteers will answer and take your donations, give you a receipt, and you’re all set to go. 

Read this article next: Best places to donate and give away the goods