Helping neighbors keep warm is focus of areawide drives

Indicators show that Muskegon is doing increasingly well, but that doesn’t mean that all of our residents are thriving. In addition to needing food, Muskegonites need to keep warm during these winter months.

There are a number of opportunities to do something about that, many of which go on all winter.

People can drop off new or gently used mittens, scarves, socks, hats and gloves to Third Coast Vinyl (1155 Third Street, Muskegon) for the annual Nelson Elementary School “Keep the Kids Warm.” Hours for donations at Third Coast are Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Mission for Area People (2500 Jefferson St., Muskegon Heights) has a clothing pantry giving away items to people who need them, as do other pantries. Lakeside Baptist Church, 2250 Denmark, continues to run its Clothes Closet and offer donated clothing items.

Contact the United Way of the Lakeshore (231-722-3134) to donate new or used coats and new gloves, scarves, mittens, and hats for its Fill the Truck Drive now through Dec. 10; they will let you know where around town to drop off the items.  It is also possible to adopt a family for Christmas through United Way.

There are also a number of events this winter that accept warm clothing. For example, the Dec. 7 Winter Slumberland homelessness awareness overnight event, which is also accepting canned goods, is asking for donations at Bethlehem Park, 3012 Waalkes, Muskegon Heights.

The Little Free Pantry at Seventh and Monroe (see Examiner 9/27/19) is considering having a Christmas tree next to the pantry which will be hung with warm items, including coats and blankets; it may not be in effect yet, but items can be dropped off at the Wolovlek house on that corner. (However, please respect the homeowners and leave gifts outside if they are not home.)

Since the pantry is run on a trust basis – that is, people come and take what they need without oversight by the administrators – it often runs low as well on the non-perishable food and health care items that was the drive behind its opening. Consider donating any of these throughout the year.