Program Details
United Way Lakes and Prairie hosts the Warm Winter Wear Collection each fall to ensure families across our region have access to coats and cold weather essentials at no cost. This program serves people living in Douglas, Otter Tail, Pope, Todd, and Wadena Counties.
The program begins with a community collection drive. Local businesses, service clubs, organizations, and community members donate gently used or new winter items. Items may be dropped off at designated collection sites or directly at United Way offices.
After collection, volunteers, partners, and United Way staff work together to sort, prepare, and distribute the donations. Families can then attend distribution events to select the coats and warm accessories they need for the season.
This effort is hosted every October and brings vital resources to those who need them most.
Continue reading to learn how you can donate winter items or help at distribution events.
Need Winter Wear
United Way’s Warm Winter Wear Collection ensures that everyone in our community has access to the cold-weather essentials they need.
There are no income guidelines or qualifications to participate. Individuals and families are welcome to attend and select items for themselves or their immediate family members. To ensure that supplies reach as many households as possible, we kindly request that you take only one of each item per person in your family.
No pre-registration is required. Simply come to a distribution site and choose the items that best fit your family’s needs.
Distribution Dates & Locations
Families in our region are welcome to attend any of the distribution events listed below. No pre-registration is required, and all items are available at no cost.
Wadena Distribution
- Please check back in the fall 2026 pickup date and location.
Perham Distribution
- Please check back in the fall 2026 pickup date and location.
Alexandria Distribution
- Please check back in the fall 2026 pickup date and location.
Fergus Falls
- Please check back in the fall 2026 pickup date and location.
Personal Donations
Our 2026 Collection Dates Set September 21st - October 9th!!!
Donations of all sizes are needed! Gently used coats, hats, gloves, snowpants, scarves & boots are accepted. Please ensure items are warm, washed, and have functioning zippers. Please drop off your donations at the United Way office during our collection period. Below is a list of locations you can drop off your donations at! No late donations, please.
Below are our 2026 Public Collection/Drop Off Locations:
Alexandria
- United Way Office | 503 Hawthorne St, Alexandria, MN 56308
- First Lutheran Church | 1655 18th Ave E, Alexandria, MN 56308
Brandon
Glenwood
- City of Long Beach MN Community Hub - 23956 N. Lakeshore Dr, Glenwood, MN, 56334, US
Perham
Fergus Falls
Starbuck
Wadena
- Astera Health | 421 11th St NW, Wadena, MN 56482
Thank you to our workplace collection hosts below for supporting families in need.
Hosting A Collection
Businesses, service clubs, and community groups are invited to host a Winter Wear Collection on behalf of United Way. By signing up through the form below, your organization will be added to our Collection Partnership list. We’ll provide follow-up communication on distribution dates and locations, along with the resources you need for a successful drive.
To make the process simple, here are a few key details about hosting a Warm Winter Collection:
- Please use your own box or container to collect donated items
- Close your collection on or before the program drop off date
- Use the flyer provided to promote your drive and display on your collection box
- Locations for drop off will be sent to you depending on your location across the region.
By joining as a collection partner, you’ll help ensure families across our region have the warm winter wear they need. To send us your interest in participating in 2026's collection drive, please fill out the form below and we will keep you updated with dates and flyers are the collection drive approaches!
