During the cold winter months, individuals who are homeless or precariously housed are often forced to make tough decisions. Oftentimes, individuals have to make the choice to pay rent or a utility bill, rather than purchasing a warm winter coat or other cold weather essentials like hats and gloves.
“Unfortunately, this winter season has already taken two lives in the KC Metro area,” says Rachel Erpelding, Director of Housing and Employment Services. “Winter coats help people stay warm and help save people from serious health issues resulting from the extreme weather. We are so grateful to those people who donated so we can offer this critical resource to those in need.”
Each year, Frank Williams Outreach Center works to provide cold weather gear to vulnerable individuals in Wyandotte County. This winter, thanks to generous community support, the team at Frank’s will be able to distribute close to 100 coats and other cold weather essentials to the people who need them most.
“It’s the little things that help us help others,” says Cierra Nixon, Site Manager for Frank Williams Outreach Center. “Whether we have one coat or one hundred, we help. Seeing a human being walking in off the streets, wrapped in a blanket, freezing cold is devastating. We can't change their situation immediately or even give guaranteed shelter options. But being able to open the door, offer them warmth – a coat, gloves, socks, hand warmers, coffee – and compassion is what we do.”
A special thank you to our coat drive donors for their support!
- Therese and Bill Bysel
- First Community Bank
- Ardith Deason
- Rita Hoag
- Allison and Mike McLain
- Fred Zang
- Nehemiah Rosell
- Carolyn Sandifer