Every child deserves warm winter gear that fits and makes them feel comfortable throughout Minnesota’s coldest months. Valley Outreach provides special winter gear vouchers so families can choose a coat, hat, and gloves or mittens for each child in their household. 

Helping Every Child Stay Warm

This year, Valley Outreach offers winter gear vouchers for children under 18-years-old. Children grow quickly, and winter clothing that fits one season may not fit the next. By dedicating these vouchers to children, we can ensure growing kids have the winter essentials they need. 

We recognize that winter clothing is essential for people of all ages. Adults can still access winter gear through regular clothing vouchers at StyleXchange. This approach allows us to direct resources where they’re needed most while continuing to meet clothing needs for everyone. 

Offering Choice With Dignity

Not every winter item is distributed through a special voucher. Some items, including boots and snow pants, are offered in our thrift shop as they become available. 

These items can be difficult to stock in every size needed by client households, so we place them on the sales floor as donations arrive. Clients can choose these items at no cost and community members can purchase them at an affordable price.  

This approach creates an opportunity for everyone to shop in the same space and make choices based on their needs. Some shoppers may be on the edge of needing services themselves, even if they aren’t currently accessing them. Making these items available to everyone helps reduce stigma, preserves dignity, and generates revenue that supports Valley Outreach’s programs.

Kindness in Every Interaction

A warm coat is more than protection from the cold. It can help a child feel comfortable at school, enjoy time outside, and participate in everyday activities throughout the winter. As one client recently shared,

“It’s expensive to buy brand-new coats for all four of my kids every year, so I’m really grateful that Valley Outreach has winter gear available. It means a lot to have a place where I can find these things to help keep my kids warm during the winter.”

By adapting our distribution to reflect community needs and making the most of available resources, we can help more people access winter essentials while treating everyone with kindness and dignity.

Join Us in Keeping the Community Warm

Together, we can help keep people warm all winter long. Last year, Valley Outreach distributed 928 children’s coats, 382 adult coats, 210 pairs of children’s boots, 195 pairs of adult boots, 893 pairs of gloves and mittens, and 1,420 winter hats.

As another Minnesota winter approaches, we need your help to ensure children and adults have the winter essentials they need. Donate new or gently used winter gear to Valley Outreach, including winter coats, hats, waterproof gloves and mittens, snow pants, and boots.

Donation drive-up hours are Monday/Friday 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and Tuesday/Thursday 1:30 – 6:30 p.m. Simply follow the signs and drive around the west side of the building to pull up to our donation dock.

If you’re interested in hosting a winter clothing drive, check out our Hosting a Drive toolkit or contact our Donor Relations Manager, Debbie Kanda, at [email protected] or call 651-342-5569.