SPRINGFIELD – Many shelters seek donations of warm clothes and blankets during the winter to help make the season easier for those in need. Pioneer Valley Credit Union and Cooperative Credit Union Association are teaming up with Springfield’s Friends of the Homeless to offer local support. During the month of February, the “Gift of Warmth Blanket and Clothing Drive” will be collecting new and unused sweatshirts, sweatpants, blankets, gloves, hats, boots, toiletries and coats.

Allie Weissman is the Development and Volunteer Programs manager at Clinical and Support Option’s Friends of the Homeless Program. Friends of the Homeless serves more than 130 overnight guests. The program takes in anyone who needs help as long as they have the space. Members of the program are assigned a clinician to get extra support around housing options and mental health issues. Friends of the Homeless also has a nursing staff that works with members on their overall health. They are now offering COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution.

During the “Gift of Warmth Blanket and Clothing Drive” they will be accepting any new, clean and unused warm donations and toiletries. Both men’s and women’s sizes are needed.

“We serve many homeless men and women who are always in need of warm clothing and blankets as well as toiletry items and that type of stuff,” said Weissman.

According to Weissman, Friends of the Homeless had to stop a lot of their volunteer programs due to COVID-19. This drive is an alternative way that people can still give and offer support without being there in-person.

“We’re looking at different ways in which we can engage the people that have typically been engaged with us by just doing different things like this drive,” she said. “We can’t have people come in from outside of the shelter or if people want to drop something off, we can’t have people come. And we also can't take any used items. And that’s to protect the guests from everything, but COVID especially.”

Weissman said that those interested in donating can contact her at 364-1896 to set up a pick-up. She will either come and collect donations at someone’s home or it can be arranged to meet at the program’s offsite donation area in Springfield. Those interested in mailing items to the shelter can send them to 755 Worthington St.

Weissman said the donation drive will run throughout the month of February and possibly into March. Friends of the Homeless will then look ahead to the warmer months.

“Then we’ll probably start switching over to summer and warm weather items,” said Weissman.

Weissman said she is looking forward to the community creativity that could come from this drive. One idea Weissman gave was people hosting their own individual drives. If someone wants to have friends and family bring any supplies and donations to their home, Weissman can then come pick them up to bring to the shelter.

“We’re asking people to become creative with their time and thinking,” she said. “There’s a lot of ways in which people can give.”

Those interested in learning more about Friends of the Homeless are encouraged to visit their website at https://www.csoinc.org/housing-homeless-services.