Salvation Army partners with Scotch Cleaners to provide warm coats

Lee Hartman

6 years ago

You may not know it judging by current temperatures, but winter will be blowing into Northeast Kansas sooner than many care to admit.

The change in seasons has many digging out their winter coats – however, some aren’t so fortunate.

For those in need of outerwear as the thermometer drops, the Salvation Army and Scotch Cleaners are lending a helping hand.

The 32nd annual Share the Warmth coat drive will kick-off on October 22 and will run through November 16.

During this time, unwanted coats of all sizes and colors are being accepted at the following Scotch Cleaners locations around Topeka:

134 SE Quincy St., Topeka
2801 SE California Ave., Topeka
2007 NW Topeka Blvd., Topeka

There they’ll be cleaned and delivered to the Salvation Army for distribution on December 1.

For the past 32 years, Scotch Cleaners of Topeka has partnered with The Topeka Salvation Army to provide coats through the “Share the Warmth” program. During that time over 26,272 coats have been cleaned and distributed to children and adults. In 2017, 4,400 coats were given out at the Topeka Salvation Army.

Major LeeAnn Burkett, corps officer of the Topeka Salvation Army, states that, “partnering with a community-minded, caring business like Scotch Cleaners allows us the opportunity to provide a much needed service to those in need within our community. We are grateful for their generosity and their continued partnership.”

The Topeka Salvation Army is in particular need of youth coats.

If you’re in need of warm winter-wear, you can stop by 1320 SE 6^th Street from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on distribution day.

There’s no need to provide any documentation, but the Salvation Army does ask that you sign-up upon arrival and shop their coat selection for only you and your family.

Community volunteers are needed to assist the Topeka Salvation Army in the sorting of the coats prior to distribution and as personal shoppers on the day of distribution. To signup, or, for more information, please contact Major LeeAnn Burkett, 785-233-9648 or leeann_burkett@usc.salvationarmy.org.