Press Release: Share the Warmth Coat Drive Kicks-Off
Catholic Charities’ Retired Senior Volunteer Program Kicks Off its Annual Share the Warmth Coat Drive to Provide Winter Coats to Children
October 17, 2023 (Fort Wayne, Ind.) – Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend (CCFWSB), is kicking off the annual Share the Warmth Coat Drive today, October 17, 2023. A program designed to keep kids warm during the winter, over 2,000 coats, hats and gloves were distributed last year.
Given the increase in inflation, the agency is preparing for a surge of requests for youth winter coats this season. Donations are greatly needed to ensure every child in need is given a coat.
Based out of Catholic Charities’ North Region Office in Auburn, the annual program is run by participants of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). RSVP participants help collect, organize and distribute the coats from October through the winter season to children and adults residing in DeKalb, Noble, Steuben, and LaGrange counties.
How to Receive a Coat:
Low-income individuals and families can begin receiving a coat on November 6, 2023. Coats are distributed from Catholic Charities’ Community Center of Caring Food Pantry, located at 107 West 5th St. Auburn, IN 46706.
Monday 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Wednesday 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
How to Support the Coat Drive:
Clean, new or gently used coats, gloves, hats and snowsuits for children and adults can be dropped off beginning today at 107 West 5th St. Auburn, IN 46706 or at Catholic Charities’ Fort Wayne location at 915 S. Clinton St. Fort Wayne, IN 46802.
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About Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend:
Catholic Charities is a private 501 (c) 3 incorporated in the state of Indiana to act as the coordinating and administrative agency for the charitable activities assigned to it by the Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend; to plan for, initiate, direct, support and coordinate Catholic social-services programs for the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical welfare of persons in need; to seek and determine the causes of social problems in order to better promote preventative social-action programs; to participate in community planning and organization, and work cooperatively with other individuals and groups in the field of social work. The service area for Catholic Charities includes the 14 counties of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, encompassing 2,236 square miles, with a population of 1,247,850. Currently, Catholic Charities has offices in Fort Wayne (Allen County), Auburn (DeKalb County), and South Bend (St. Joseph County), Indiana. In Fiscal Year 2022-2023, CCFWSB served almost 22,000 individuals at a fiscally responsible rate of 88 cents of every dollar dedicated to client services. The agency’s mission is to serve all those in need as Christ calls us to do.