GREENFIELD — Greenfield’s annual coat drive is currently seeking donations to benefit homeless individuals and others in need of warm clothing this winter.
Local resident Avelina Torres is spearheading the coat drive for the sixth year in a row, and once again she has partnered with the Greenfield Rotary Club, as well as the Greenfield police and fire departments, on the collection project.
“I am very happy to have the support from Greenfield Rotary, the Fire Department and our Police Department,” Torres said.
New and gently used coats of any size may be dropped off inside the containers at four locations, during regular business hours:
- Greenfield Civic Center, 599 El Camino Real;
- Greenfield Community Science Workshop, 45 El Camino Real;
- Greenfield Fire Department, corner of Oak Avenue and Fourth Street; and
- Higher Level Greenfield, 48 Fourth St.
Other warm clothing, such as sweaters and hats, will also be accepted, but coats are preferred.
“We will accept any clothing, but mainly coats if possible,” Torres said.
Torres started the collection project in 2017 with the help of the Greenfield Community Science Workshop, which built the festive donation containers. Her inspiration came after driving through cities like Salinas and seeing the large numbers of homeless individuals without warm clothes.
Last year hundreds of coats were donated by the community.
“We collected about 300 gently used and new coats last year,” Torres said about the 2021 coat drive. “The coats are for the homeless in Monterey County, and we certainly hope to exceed last year’s collection.”
Donations will be accepted until Thursday, Dec. 22, and all the clothing will be cleaned before being distributed to those in need.
“Thank you all so much for your generosity,” Torres said.
