Give the Gift of Warmth with Winter Clothing Drive
ALBUQUERQUE — You can get involved and help keep our community safe and warm as winter approaches and temperatures continue to drop. This week, the City’s Health, Housing and Homelessness department launched its “WarmtHHH for All” donation drive. From now through December 20th, you can donate new or gently used coats, jackets, beanies, and gloves to help unsheltered individuals stay warm during the cold winter months.
Donation boxes will be placed at the entrances of all City of Albuquerque Health and Social Services Centers, Community Centers, Libraries, and Desert Sky Café in City Hall.
All donations will be given to Albuquerque Fire Rescue’s (AFR) Outside Fire Response Truck, which focuses on extinguishing dangerous campfires. When a campfire is put out, people will be offered connection to shelter through Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS). Those who wish to remain outdoors are offered the donated warm clothing items. So far, 363 coats, 136 pairs of insulated pants, 132 blankets, and 950 pairs of socks have been handed out.
“AFR’s Outside Fire Response truck handled over 800 small outside fire calls last month,” said Fire Chief Emily Jaramillo. “Each one of those responses not only ensures that small fires are extinguished but it’s an opportunity for outreach and connections to services. Part of that outreach is providing warm clothing and blankets to discourage dangerous fires for those that choose not to go to area shelters.”
“While shelter, resources, and pathways to housing are the ultimate goal, we understand not everyone will accept these services right away,” said Health, Housing, and Homelessness Director Gilbert Ramirez. “These crucial donations will bridge a gap in service to our unsheltered community.”
“This drive is about helping the most vulnerable in our city, and during this time of giving, we invite our community to be a part of these efforts,” said Mayor Tim Keller.
If you can’t make it to one of our boxes, you can always schedule a pickup or drop-off time on our website. As a reminder, we are currently in need of men’s clothing.