ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. – Bernadette’s Faith in Action in St. Clair Shores is asking residents to donate new or gently used men’s winter coats as seasonal weather changes increase demand for warm outerwear.
The organization operates a full-service, 24/7 pantry out of the Life of Purpose Church basement on East 10 Mile Road.
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Volunteers say visits and requests for help rise as temperatures drop, leaving some neighbors, including people experiencing homelessness, vulnerable to the cold.
“This pantry is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” said Janet Dodoro, the Clothing Manager with Bernadette’s Faith in Action. “The colder it gets, the more we have to hand out for people.”
Volunteers on site report a particularly urgent need for men’s winter coats.
“Today we need men’s winter coats. Warm winter coats,” said Dodoro.
One volunteer described encountering people who have no other option but to stay outdoors.
“We get people who are out here that are freezing, homeless, that need coats. We just had a guy out here sleeping in his truck, trying to keep warm, because he couldn’t get into a warming center,” said volunteer John Watycha.
The nonprofit says coat donations are critical right now.
Staff and volunteers have been distributing roughly 35 coats a week from the pantry, and current stock is running low, with just under 20 men’s coats left in inventory.
“Thick, warm, winter coats. Something that someone who is homeless can spend the night outside, gosh, this is going to make me cry, wearing a coat, because that’s all they have,” Dodoro said, describing the emotional toll of seeing people in need.
Bernadette’s Faith in Action said it recently received a large donation of hats, gloves, socks, and scarves, so the immediate priority is men’s coats.
- What they need: New or gently used men’s winter coats — thick, warm outerwear suitable for very cold nights.
- Drop-off: Donations can be left any time in front of Life of Purpose Church, 20880 East 10 Mile, St. Clair Shores.
The organization’s pantry is open around the clock and aims to help everyone who comes through its doors.
If you can help by donating a men’s winter coat, your gift could make a life-saving difference during this cold stretch.
For more information, contact Bernadette’s Faith in Action at 248-377-8319 or visit https://bfaithinaction.org.