The Share the Warmth Winter Clothing Recycling Project has become a stable of the season in the Battlefords. Last year the program helped provide over 200 winter jackets to those in need. (submitted photo/Erin Katerynych)

By Martin Martinson

Warm dress, warm hearts

Coats for Kids initiative looks to share the warmth this season

Nov 19, 2019 | 2:02 PM

As the days get shorter and the cold increases this winter season, the Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre and Battlefords Boys and Girls Club are looking to share the warmth with their winter clothing recycling project known as Coats for Kids.

A community centered event, the Coats for Kids program offers an opportunity for people to donate their new or gently used coats and other winter gear for those in need.

The District Food and Resource Centre has partnered with the Boys and Girls Club over the last number of years to work together in collecting winter clothing. SaskEnergy issued a financial grant to the food bank to help with the event.

Executive Director of the Food and Resource Centre Erin Katerynych said she is grateful for the support of local people and businesses alike, chipping in to help out.

“This community is great for showing support when it comes to helping those in need,” she said. “We have been very fortunate. Every year we seem to be getting more winter jackets and we are helping out more people and reaching further areas.”

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Last year the winter clothing drive led to over 200 winter jackets being given out to adults and children in the Battlefords community and surrounding areas.

Since the initiative was first started, over 1,000 winter jackets were handed out as well as hundreds of toques, mittens and scarfs every year to people in need through the program.

In addition to the families who come to collect winter gear, Katerynych said schools will also come and pick up winter jackets to have on hand if they see children who are not properly dressed through the cold winter months.

“Saskatchewan has very cold winters and we want to make sure anybody who has to venture out into that cold is properly dressed,” Katerynych said. “Nobody in Canada should be going cold outside.”

Those looking to donate clean gently used winter jackets can drop them off at the Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre. The winter clothing will be available to pick up for those in need from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1