Local charities hosting coat, winter clothing giveaway for kids

Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties and the Knights of Columbus are hosting a Kids Coat Giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 at Center for Hope, 812 Root St. in Flint. (Terray Sylvester | MLive.com)

FLINT, MI – Local charities are teaming up this weekend to donate winter apparel and other personal necessities to children and families in need.

Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties and the Knights of Columbus are hosting a Kids Coat Giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Center for Hope, 812 Root St. in Flint.

Mary Stevenson, director of Catholic Charities Center for Hope, said the Knights of Columbus will be providing over 400 brand-new coats to children during the giveaway. Hats, gloves and other personal items will be available during this time as well.

Stevenson said the giveaway is open to anyone in need. Upon arrival, participants will come and check in at the front entrance.

Parents and guardians must bring their child or their child’s birth certificate. After check-in, members of the Knights of Columbus will help visitors shop for clothing items.

The Center for Hope Community Closet is open and available to those in need twice a month. Visitors can shop for clothing and household items from 1-3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The center also distributes personal hygiene and needs items to those in the community every 30 days.

“We’re seeing hundreds and hundreds of people every month, and so many of them are either single parent families or large families,” Stevenson said. “People who may be working but just not able to afford these things, especially for young children that grow so quickly. ... Every little bit that can help these kids is a service to the community.”

Kellie Pardi, marketing manager for Catholic Charities, said there is “always a need” in the community and the organization works to ease the day-to-day cost of living.

“People are feeling the pinch with their dollars these days,” Pardi said. “Anything that we can do … so that they can make sure that they can put food on the table, and they can pay their bills – we try to do that.”

Pardi said the organization does not take income into consideration when assisting those in the community.

“If somebody tells us that they need help, we take them on their word,” Pardi said.

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