St. Vincent de Paul – Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are partnering to help local adults and children stay warm this winter by providing winter coats for the 23rd annual coat drive.
For many, the rising cost of living and increased rent payments have made it harder to purchase necessities, such as coats, to keep warm as temperatures drop. Distributions are planned for early December for those in need of a coat and details can be found below. The program is supported by WLWT, Warm 98.5, Gold Star, Lemasters Consulting, and Rhinegeist.
“So many families in our region are struggling just to make ends meet. Each year, this coat drive is an opportunity to share warmth and comfort with thousands of our neighbors,” says Brad McMonigle, CEO of St. Vincent de Paul – Cincinnati. “We are sincerely grateful for everyone who recognizes this need in our community and responds with generosity.”
“The coat drive is such an important initiative when it comes to supporting our neighbors in need.” said Karen Zengel, Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky. “Being able to stay warm is a necessity, and so many families struggle to do that throughout the winter for a variety of reasons. We are fortunate to have such a generous community on both sides of the river as this program would not exist without the help of others. In 2022, the coat drive distributed more than 1,770 coats and many vouchers for coats were returned to our thrift store locations. Due to rising living costs, we only expect the need to rise again this year.”
There are several ways to get involved in this year’s coat drive:
Northern Kentucky
• Businesses, individuals, and other groups located in Northern Kentucky are invited to support St. Vincent de Paul’s coat drive by hosting drives of their own. If you would like to donate items without hosting a drive, please visit one of SVdPNKY’s four thrift store locations in Cold Spring, Erlanger, Falmouth, and Florence. Visit www.svdpnky.org for a full list of drop off locations in Northern Kentucky.
• Coat distribution events in Northern Kentucky will take place on Saturday, December 2 at Cristo Rey in Florence and John G. Carlisle Elementary in Covington from 9 a.m.–noon as well as on Saturday, December 9 at Newport Intermediate School in Newport and also Life Learning Center in Covington from 9 a.m.–noon.
Cincinnati
• Businesses, individuals, and other groups located in Ohio are invited to support St. Vincent de Paul’s coat drive by hosting drives of their own. If you would like to donate items without hosting a drive, please visit any location to drop off your donation. Visit www.svdpcincinnati.org for a list of our Greater Cincinnati Thrift Store locations or call 513-421-CARE for a free donation pickup from your home.
• Coat distribution events for residents of Hamilton County will take place on Saturday, December 2 at Elder High School from 9 a.m. – noon and Wednesday, December 6 at the Clippard Family YMCA from 5– 8 p.m.
Gold Star will also be collecting financial donations to help both organizations buy new coats for this year’s drive. As a special thank you to donors, Gold Star will be offering a special bounce back offer for $5 off any $25 purchase. Additionally, Gold Star will host several coat drive “pop-ups” where guests can bring new or gently used coats to participating Gold Star locations on a designated day. For more information on Gold Star’s donation events and to donate, visit www.goldstarchili.com.
For a comprehensive list of locations to donate a coat or receive a coat from St. Vincent de Paul – Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky, please visit SVDPcincinnati.org.
St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky