Keeping KELOLAND Warm for a cause

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The official start of winter is less than 100 days away, but making sure everyone has proper winter attire starts now. The effort starts in the basement at the St. Francis House, which is filled with coats for a cause.

“It’s overwhelming actually, to see the generosity of our community coming together,” St. Francis House data coordinator Diane H. said.

Rascal Flatts to perform at PREMIER Center

The program began several years ago when the St. Francis House established a partnership with KELOLAND News, Lewis Drug Store and Montgomery’s Furniture.

“It started, unfortunately, due to the death of a woman who did not have proper winter attire and was sleeping in one of the parking ramps downtown,” St. Francis House CEO Julie Becker said.

Today, Keep KELOLAND Warm provides winter gear to those who need it. The St. Francis House works with a number of community agencies to gather and distribute orders for people in need of winter clothes.

“When they put in their orders, they’re putting in the size of if it’s for a male or a female. And with that, then St. Francis helps make sure that they have a scarf, a hat and gloves also to go with that winter coat,” Becker said.

Last year, the St. Francis House gave out over 2,700 winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves. Right now, they say hats, gloves and larger-sized coats are in high demand.

“We get orders for coats for children’s, adult’s ,men’s, women’s, all different sizes from different entities of Sioux Falls that need these coats. We put those all together and either will deliver them or they come and pick them up,” Diane H. said.

New or lightly used items are welcomed, but monetary donations can also be given to the St. Francis House.

“Those funds go into a separate account so that when someone comes in and needs a larger size, we’re able to go out and purchase that or order it so that we make sure that we’re addressing the needs of all individuals in our community who are needing to be kept warm,” Becker said.

Coats and other gear can be dropped off at Lewis Drug now until November 27th or brought directly to the St. Francis House.

Donations can be dropped off at the St. Francis House in Sioux Falls during the week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on the weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donation bins are also available at Lewis Drug stores. Montgomery’s Furniture will drop off those items every Tuesday at the St. Francis House to be distributed to various organizations and non-profits.