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Helping Montgomery's Homeless: Blanket, Coat, Boot, and Shoe Drive

By Heather VacLav

Story Created: Nov 3, 2012

Story Updated: Nov 3, 2012

Blanket, Coat, Boot, and Shoe Drive:

During the month of November, MACH will place three PODS storage containers at strategic locations around Montgomery to serve as collection points for new and gently used blankets, coats, hats, socks, and other winter wear. In addition, this year, the PODS will be accepting boots, sneakers, and other practical shoes.
 
PODS storage containers will be located at:
-Regions Bank at 301 Coliseum Blvd
-Boultier Street behind Sinclair's Cloverdale
-Festival Plaza shopping center at the intersection of Taylor and Vaughn Roads.
 
The PODS will be open on three Saturdays in November (November 3, 10, & 17) from 10 AM to 2 PM to accept donations from the public. Various local businesses and organizations have also volunteered to place boxes out for collection in public places throughout the River Region.

Blankets and clothing will be distributed through MACH's member agencies, including local homeless shelters and service providers. MACH volunteers will also distribute the blankets during the annual Homeless Enumeration. During the last week of January, volunteer teams will visit places the homeless are known to frequent, such as shelters, underpasses, tent cities, and abandoned homes, to count and survey the homeless. While conducting the count, volunteers will hand out food, hygiene kits, and blankets and clothing collected during the drive.

The Blanket Drive is being held in conjunction with National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week (November 10-18, 2012). The Blanket Drive is sponsored by a grant from the Junior League of Montgomery and planned through the efforts of Junior League volunteers, with special thanks to PODS Storage Containers, Regions Bank Coliseum Blvd, Boultier Street LLC, and Festival Plaza.

For more information or to volunteer or make a donation for the event, contact the Mid-Alabama Coalition for the Homeless at (334) 261-6182.
 
 
 
About the Mid-Alabama Coalition for the Homeless:
The vision of the Mid-Alabama Coalition for the Homeless (MACH) is to be the leader in our community's effort to plan, coordinate, and develop resources with the goal of ending homelessness. Founded in 2001, MACH is the HUD-designated Continuum of Care for a five-county area and is responsible for examining homeless issues, devising methods to alleviate homelessness, providing services to the homeless and to those at risk of becoming homeless, and conducting a yearly survey of homeless individuals within its geographic boundaries.

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