It can be easy not to think about the freezing temperatures that are just a couple of months away as we continue to enjoy the warm temps of summer. But at Mel Trotter Ministries, the staff is busy planning a coat drive to ensure those living on the streets have a coat to protect them from the dangerous cold ahead.
Here’s Beth Fisher, Mel Trotter Ministries Chief Advancement Officer:
“We all know in Michigan it can get very cold very quickly. And so yes. We’re preparing in advance so that our guests we serve can move through those winter months very warmly and securely.”
Mel Trotter Ministries is the largest provider of services to people experiencing homelessness in West Michigan. They’re launching their month-long coat drive for new or gently used coats starting September 1.
“And it will be 600 coats we’re looking to receive. Then what we’re going to do, is distribute those coats, then we’ll have our guests come in and pick out coats at the end of October in advance of the cold.”
Fisher says they’ve partnered with Mercantile Bank and Curtis Cleaners to provide a variety of drop off locations throughout Grand Rapids.
She says Coats can be dropped off during the entire month of September at various Mercantile Bank, Curtis Cleaner locations as well as at the Mel Trotter Ministries Artprize exhibit. For more information, go to meltrotter.org