(Cold) Weather Protection Kits

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If you grew up in Minnesota, you know the unpredictable and severe weather this season can bring. We serve a wide variety of people experiencing homelessness, from those in residence with limited supplies to shelter guests and unhoused neighbors living outdoors in all weather conditions. It can get dangerously wet, cold, or hot depending on the time of year, so we hand out kits specialized for each season here in Minnesota. We need your help gathering supplies to keep our residents, guests, and unsheltered neighbors safe.

To create Weather Protection Kits, please gather and assemble the following into bags or easy-to-carry containers (e.g. backpacks, grocery bags, paper bags, trash bags, draw-string bags, or other bags/containers of your choosing).

First Priority Items:

• Plastic bottles of water ( example | Note: While we also accept reusable water bottles, plastic bottles of water are our highest need as our Outreach teams are going out into areas to provide immediate/emergency care where there may not be safe drinking fountains/refillable water sources nearby)
• Tents ( example 1, example 2)
• Tarps ( example 1, example 2)
• Sleeping bags ( example 1, example 2)
• Rain ponchos ( example 1, example 2)
• Emergency blankets ( example1, example 2)

Second Priority Items:

• T-Shirts ( example 1, example 2 | Men's sizes L and XL are our highest need, but we can accept all adult sizes M-4X)
• Sweatpants ( example 1, example 2 | Men's sizes L and XL are our highest need, but we can accept all adult sizes S-4X)
• Underwear - NEW ONLY ( example 1, example 2 | Men's sizes L and XL are our highest need, but we can accept all Men's sizes M-XL, and Women's sizes 6 - 14/M-XL)
• Socks - NEW ONLY ( example 1, example 2)
• Umbrellas ( example 1, example 2)
• Ready to eat Snack Foods ( example 1, example 2 | jerky and chips are the most requested by our clients)

Our suggestion: choose at least 2-3 first priority items (e.g., tarp, bottled water, rain poncho) and then include however many second priority items you desire.

Guidelines and notes (read before kit assembly):

• Products included in kits must be new/unused. For clothing items, any used clothing must in very good condition and laundered with no stains or holes.
• We also accept (and greatly appreciate!) individual donations of each of these listed items. Delivery can be arranged through a drop-off coordinated with Abby (info below) or easily arranged and delivered to us through a third party via our Amazon Wishlist.
• If you would like to add any notecards/messages, or items that are not listed above, please text/call/or email Abby (info below) beforehand to ensure that the Donation Center is able to accept them. Thank you so much!

Have Questions? Ready to schedule a drop-off?

Contact Abby Abele (Community Organizer & In-Kind Donation Manager) by text or call at 612-715-0449, or by email at abigail.abele@agatemn.org.