Help Keep Utah Warm: Give Winter Gear a New Purpose

There’s the coat your child outgrew. The gloves tucked into the back of a drawer. The extra blanket you rarely reach for. They may be taking up space in your home, but for someone else, they could make a cold Utah winter a little easier.

This year, Bank of Utah’s annual Warm Bodies, Warm Souls clothing drive offers another opportunity to put that winter gear to good use. Donations will support 16 charitable organizations and programs that help individuals and families across Utah.

Last year, Utahns contributed 561 bags of clothing and $10,040 in monetary donations. This year, we have an opportunity to build on that generosity and make an even bigger impact.

A Warm Coat Can Ease More Than the Cold

Winter brings expenses that can stretch an already tight budget. When a child needs a larger coat or a pair of boots wears out, replacing those essentials may mean making difficult choices about other household needs.

Donated clothing gives local charities more resources to respond. A warm layer can help a child on the way to school, someone walking to work or a person spending time outside without reliable shelter.

Warm Bodies, Warm Souls connects people who have something to give with organizations that know the needs in their communities. Whether you contribute a few items or organize a collection with team members, your participation can help those organizations care for the people they serve.

561 Bags of Clothing Show What Giving Can Accomplish

Last year’s drive brought donations together from across Utah to support 15 charities. Coats, boots, gloves, blankets and new socks helped those organizations meet winter needs in their communities.

Behind those totals were people choosing to help: families passing along winter gear, individuals contributing money and businesses encouraging their teams to participate. This year is another opportunity to turn those everyday acts of generosity into practical support.

Supporting 16 Utah Organizations and Programs This Year

This year’s donations will support:

• Cache Community Food Pantry
• Tremonton Community Pantry, Tremonton
• The Family Support Center, Brigham City
• Catholic Community Services (Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank), Ogden
• The Lantern House, Ogden
• Bountiful Community Pantry, Bountiful
• Crossroads Urban Center, Salt Lake City
• The Road Home’s Men’s Resource Center
• Heber Valley Center Stage / Christian Center of Park City
• Youth Futures
• Community Action Services and Food Bank / Food and Care Coalition
• The Well (formerly Hope Pregnancy Center)
• United Way of Eastern Utah
• Tabitha’s Way
• Switchpoint
• Cache Valley Humanitarian Center

By contributing to the drive, you help these organizations provide winter essentials to the people and families they serve.

Start With What You Have

You don’t have to organize a large collection to participate. Start with a look through your closets. Set aside clean, gently used winter items in good condition, then check the drive’s requested donation list to see what you can contribute.

You might also invite your family, friends or team members to join you. A few donations from each person can add up, as last year’s 561 bags demonstrated.

That coat your family has outgrown could still have many winters left in it. Help give it a new purpose.