A Preparation for Winter

[MineralMan]

It's almost August here in Minnesota. Time to start thinking about winter. A couple of years ago, my wife and I were trying to figure out some way we could make winter easier for the homeless people in Saint Paul, and for people who couldn't afford to make all the preparations needed for the season.

What we came up with might be an idea for other DUers who live in cold winter areas.

I'm a real afficionado of thrift stores like Goodwill. In the summertime, winter jackets in these thrift stores are always really, really cheap. So, we decided to haunt these stores in the summer months and look for remarkable bargains. We buy up serious winter parkas in all sizes whenever we can find them at super-reduced prices. Sometimes, we find -20 degree parkas for just a couple of dollars. Winter gloves, too, are something we watch for and buy, whenever we can find them cheaply. We try to match gloves to the sizes of the parkas and stuff a pair of gloves into the pockets of each parka.

We put all this winter clothing into big garbage bags and store it all in the basement. Then, when the weather starts getting cold, and the prices of serious winter clothing goes up, even in the thrift stores, we take these bags of parkas and gloves around to the local homeless shelters and other places that try to help people get through the winter, and drop them off for distribution to their clients.

All of this costs us very little money, but really helps, I think.

If you're looking for a project, this idea might be a good one. It's easy, relatively inexpensive, and truly helpful. Right now, winter stuff is cheap in the thrift stores. Later, you won't be able to do as much for the same budget.

Thanks for thinking about those who don't have what they need.

[Bitwit1234]

1. Sounds like a good project to start an organization about

school kids are good at this. And other organizations. wouldn't that be nice if they all helped and buy up some blankets also. AND boots. Not only will it help the homeless it will ramp up the coffers of your local Salvation Army and Goodwill Stores.

[MineralMan]

3. There are a lot of parka and blanket drives here every Winter, and

they're quite successful. We just do it a little differently. Churches frequently do this and collect surplus winter clothing from their congregations. It's all good.

From the reception our trash bags full of winter clothing gets, though, at homeless shelters, etc., it's clear that there's never enough of this stuff. Everything helps.

[Warpy]

2. I've cleaned closets long since of blankets, sweaters and coats

and given every sheet, towel, and bit of kitchen crap I can spare to a coworker whose house burned down. However, buying them from thrift shops to give to the homeless this time around seems like a good deal.

In years past, I would have argued that poor people need those thrift shops to be stocked with coats, especially for their kids. This year, that just isn't the case any more. Poor folks are going to be making do with last year's coats, even though the stuffing is coming out and they end four inches above the kid's wrist.

Good for you for thinking of them.

One thing nobody ever seems to think of is socks. Other items they can really use are things like sample size soap, toothpaste and deodorants, things they can pack easily when they're out on the street during the day and which will make them feel a bit more human.

There isn't a chill in the air here in NM, not for another six weeks, at least. I keep wondering if this is the year I'll have to keep a simmering pot of soup on the stove like my grandmother did for hungry people during the Depression.

[MineralMan]

4. The thrift stores have lots of this stuff in the winter around here.

For many, though, even thrift store prices are too high. Some folks need their winter coats to be free.

[dgibby]

5. When I saw the title of your op,

I had just heard about the heat advisory they issued for the SC Low Country today(heat index to reach between 110 and 117F), and preparing for winter was definitely NOT on my radar screen.:rofl:

Glad I decided to read what you wrote. What you and your wife are doing is double plus good, supporting the Good Will and helping the homless. Good for you!

[MineralMan]

6. I know. It seems funny to think about winter clothing in August.

:rofl: