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Give Back to your Community

Winter Warmth Drive

About Us

For over a decade, the Winter Warmth Drive has provided an extra layer of comfort during bitter Iowa winters to families in need. As Iowa’s largest youth run community service project, students from over 40 schools across the metro collect and distribute winter items to members of our community who might not have access to them otherwise.

From coats, boots, blankets and hats, the drive not only serves as a means to provide winter necessities but gives students the opportunity to grow as advocates and leaders from a young age.

Warmth by the Numbers

50,000+

Students in the Greater Des Moines Metro that qualify for free or reduced lunch.

350+

Over 40 schools, 45 local agencies and 350 students have contributed to the Winter Warmth Drive.

4,000

Estimated population of homeless in Greater Des Moines Metro with 25 percent identified as children.

60,000+

Amount of winter items that have been collected and distributed across the metro.

72,500

Number of families in the Greater Des Moines Metro that  live at or under the poverty level.

Hear Our Stories

Over the years we have had the privilege of getting to know the members of our community who have taken part in the Winter Warmth Drive. Hearing their stories and how the items collected have made a positive impact in their lives are the reason we do what we do.

“The coats have been such a blessing for our office. The quality and range of sizes has been such a treat to be able to pass out.”
-U.S Committee for Refugees & Immigrants

“I am thankful for your time and commitment to helping children in need stay warm this winter. Besides keeping them safe and warm it helps them arrive at school ready to learn. Having coats to hand out to students has been such a blessing. We’re so pleased and thankful to be a beneficiary of this extraordinary undertaking. You are making a difference in the lives of our students — thank you!”
-Edmunds Elementary

“We had a family that had a house fire and they lost almost everything. They had young twins and with the help from Winter Warmth Drive we were able to provide coats and snow pants for each child. We were also able to give our school janitor, who is a refugee from Sudan, and his five children winter coats, snow pants and boots. Thank you for what you do.”
-Hillside Elementary

 “The Winter Warmth Drive program provides a perfect link between an act, someone donating a coat, and the direct result, a student being warm this winter. Thank you for all your work —it makes a difference!”
-Smouse Opportunity School

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