As temperatures drop, many Milwaukee organizations are preparing residents for the cold by providing free winter coats, hats, gloves and other gear.
Here’s where you can find winter clothing resources or donate to help others stay bundled up this season.
If we missed a coat drive or resource, please email mmelland@milwaukeenns.org.
Youth Coat Drive: Saturday, Nov. 22
The Voice for the Youth 5th Annual Coat Drive will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22 at Lisa Kaye Bistro, 3801 W. Vliet St. Children must be present to receive a coat. Because it is first come, first served, arriving early is encouraged. More information here.
Breaking Bread Community Thanksgiving Day Feast 2025: Thursday, Nov. 27
Dream Team United WI will be giving away winter clothing items at its Thanksgiving meal event from noon to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 27 at North 35th and West Center streets. Donations of new winter items and new personal hygiene products will be accepted at 80 Recording Studios, 1831 W. Forest Home Ave., from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., until Friday, Nov. 21. More information here.
Hope Loves the Kids Coat Drive & Giveaway: Saturday, Nov. 29
Milwaukee Hope Initiative will be distributing coats for youths at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29 at Columbia Savings & Loan Association, 2020 W. Fond du Lac Ave. Register here; otherwise, the giveaway will be first come, first served. Donations of coats and other winter items can be dropped off until Friday, Nov. 21 at Columbia Savings & Loan Association and Associated Bank’s River Center Branch, 815 N. Water St., or you can make a monetary donation. More information here.
MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary Doorway Ministry
The ministry hands out basic needs items, clothing and winter gear at 2461 W. Center St. on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. You can contact the ministry at 414-404-0600. Donations are accepted on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. More information here.
Repairers of the Breach
Repairers of the Breach has an open clothing pantry from 9 to 11 a.m. on Mondays and as needed for emergencies at 1335 W. Vliet St. You can contact them at 414-342-9323. The organization also accepts donations of hats, gloves, scarves and coats between 7:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. on Monday through Saturday. More information here.
Capuchin Community Services
Capuchin Community Services distributes clothing and winter gear at the Clothing Closet by appointment from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at House of Peace, 1702 W. Walnut St. To schedule an appointment, call 414-933-1300.
Through the Warm Winter Drive, Capuchin Community Services is collecting new or gently used coats for adults and children, especially in large sizes, blankets, hats, mittens, gloves and scarves. Donations can be dropped off at House of Peace from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or at St. Ben’s Community Meal, 930 W. State St., from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. More information here.
Children’s Clothing Center
The Milwaukee Ladies of Charity runs the Children’s Clothing Center, 621 S. 4th St., from September through April. If you have a child in pre-school to high school in the greater Milwaukee area who is in need of clothing, reach out to the social worker or principal at your child’s school to be referred and receive a voucher for the program.
With the voucher, visit the center to receive clothing items on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or the second Saturday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m. A child normally gets a winter coat, hats, gloves, five shirts, three pairs of pants, seven pairs of socks, seven pairs of underwear and some extras like books or pajamas. More information here.
The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County – Coats for Kids
Coats, hats and winter gear for children and adults are available at the Salvation Army Distribution Center, 5880 N. 60th St. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays until Dec. 3, or The Salvation Army Citadel Corps, 4129 W. Villard Ave. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays until Dec. 3.
There are also options available at the Greenfield and Oak Creek locations. Coat distribution will be paused from Dec. 4 to Jan. 5 while the Salvation Army is running its Toy Shop program but will resume by appointment after Jan. 5. Donations can be made to the FOX6 Coats for Kids drive or Salvation Army thrift stores. More information here.
IMPACT 211
IMPACT 211 will have the latest information on any emergency needs.
Ongoing donation drives
FOX6 Coats for Kids
FOX6 is seeking new or gently used winter coats in all sizes through Sunday, Dec. 7 for the Salvation Army’s Coats for Kids program. Coats, hats, mittens, and scarves (no sweatshirts or light jackets) can be dropped off at any participating Steinhafels and Landmark Credit Union location. More information here.
Milwaukee Rescue Mission
The Milwaukee Rescue Mission accepts donations of winter gear and other clothing at 830 N. 19th St. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Current urgent needs include coats for toddlers, children, teens and adults in sizes small, medium, large and 3XL. More information here.
Meredith Melland is the neighborhoods reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and a corps member of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. Report for America plays no role in editorial decisions in the NNS newsroom.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
