Several Durango businesses have teamed up with Volunteers of America Colorado to launch the inaugural Cold Weather Cozies drive – a community effort to collect winter gear for unhoused residents, including coats, hats, gloves, tents and sleeping bags.
After an unseasonably warm November, temperatures are now dropping sharply in Durango.
Snow fell Wednesday, and the National Weather Service predicted lows in the 20s through the week, possibly dipping to 14 degrees Thursday night.
The Southwest Safehouse and the Durango Community Shelter collectively serve about 400 people annually, said Veronica Martin, senior director of both shelters through VOA Colorado. Demand rises sharply as temperatures drop, she said.
Martin said the drive supports both sheltered and unsheltered individual, especially when shelters reach capacity.
“A lot more people are seeking shelter services (in the winter), and unfortunately, sometimes we have to turn people away, and it’s really hard, especially when it’s starting to snow – when the temperatures are really dropping,” Martin said. “Thankfully, we have the emergency warming center, but for people that we can’t shelter, we really want to be able to give them something to help keep them warm.”
Cold Weather Cozies donation boxes are located at local businesses, including north City Market, Nature’s Oasis, both Walgreens locations, Durango Outdoor Exchange, REI, Backcountry Experience, the Durango Rec Center and Durango Harley-Davidson.
New or gently used coats, gloves, mittens, boots, hats, blankets, sleeping bags and tents are welcome donations.
Supplies for children are especially needed, Martin said.
“Housing prices are increasing, (and) we’ve seen a shocking number of families that are experiencing homelessness,” she said. “We get a lot of donations for adult coats, (but) we see a lot of people – a lot of children – that really need the cold weather supplies as well. I think that’s something that people don’t really know about.”
Donations will be collected through Monday and sorted on Colorado Gives Day, which is Tuesday.
Martin said the inaugural drive has already been a success, with several donation boxes emptied and refiled. But more donations are still needed as demand for shelter and supplies grows in the colder months.
“(Donations) definitely do go a long way,” Martin said. “(We serve) a huge number of people that are in need in this community. ... We can’t possibly give a coat to every single person, but as much as we can get – it helps.”
How to help
Volunteer opportunities:
To sign up for volunteer opportunities with Volunteers of America, visit www.voacolorado.org/general-volunteer-sign-up/
Donations:
New or gently used coats, gloves, mittens, boots, hats, blankets, sleeping bags and tents to help the unhoused can be dropped off at:
North City Market
Nature's Oasis
Durango Outdoor Exchange
North Walgreens
South Walgreens
Morehart Murphy – Bodo/Chevy Building
Star Liquor
Backcountry Experience
REI
Sanct Salon
Edgemont Community Mail Room
Wagon Wheel
Powerhouse
Durango Harley-Davidson
Durango Natural Foods Co-op
Durango Recreation Center
Home Depot – Employee Break Room
Another way to help the unhoused is by volunteering with the VOA at either of Durango’s shelters, Martin said.
“At the Southwest Safehouse, we rely a lot on volunteers, and we have so many opportunities available for people that do want to give their time,” she said. “That’s a really needed thing right now, even if it’s just coming to help sort through donations, or you’re wanting to serve dinner to the people that we serve, or you’re wanting to just do arts and crafts with some kiddos.”
Martin said the hope is to hold the drive annually to ensure the unhoused have access to warm clothing and supplies.
Martin said it’s hard to put into words how important it is to keep the unhoused warm, especially as temperatures drop.
“How are people expected to sleep, to survive, to be able to get up and go to their jobs the next day, (if they’re freezing)?” she said. “The drive is important for survival, and it’s important for people’s well-being. Nobody should have to be cold all night. It’s already hard enough to not have shelter, and people really deserve to at least be warm, and have some kind of protection from the elements.”
epond@durangoherald.com
