Community //

St. James Cathedral Launches Annual Clothing Drive

Drive aims to support Toronto’s homeless amid winter’s chill

A collection of donated winter essentials ready to provide warmth and comfort.

Pexels

November 18, 2024

By Peninah Asiimwe

As Toronto enters the colder months, St. James Cathedral is holding its annual clothing drive to collect warm winter clothing for the city’s unhoused residents.

The initiative, led by community coordinator Kathy Biasi, seeks to address the urgent need for practical winter attire as temperatures drop, leaving many without adequate protection from the cold.

The drive is looking for donations of gently used or new winter essentials. Particularly in demand are men’s and women’s winter boots, coats, sweaters, and gloves. St. James is also collecting men’s and women’s jeans, sweatpants, and men’s underwear.

In addition to providing warm clothing, the drive supports programs like Out of the Cold and the Daily Bread Food Bank, along with other initiatives serving marginalized communities in the Downtown East area.

 

“Every item counts,” says Biasi. “A pair of gloves, a warm coat, or sturdy boots can be the difference between safety and despair.”

 

As the need for warm clothing grows each winter, St. James Cathedral hopes this year’s drive will once again unite the community in support of those facing the harshest impacts of the season.