Morristown's Market Street Mission Gives Away 900 Coats

MORRISTOWN, NJ - It may have been an out-of-season 75 degrees on the day of the annual Coat Giveaway, but that didn’t stop the Market Street Mission from helping the community prepare for the cold months ahead.

On Nov. 7, the Mission gave out around 900 coats to 133 families—roughly 400 people. Along with winter coats, guests were given hats, gloves, and scarves as well, to make sure they and their children are ready for the winter season.

The Market Street Mission has been hosting our Coat Giveaway for over 30 years. The event typically takes place on the Morristown Green, but the location was unavailable this year because of current health restrictions. Instead, the town hosted the event in the Town Hall parking lot, and the giveaway ran smoothly despite the change in location, officials said.

In the month leading up to the giveaway, local churches and organizations volunteered to collect the coats and pre-sort them into color-coded bags, so they would be ready to go on the day of the event. And on giveaway-day, nearly 35 volunteers in two different sessions came in-person to serve the community. They helped each guest find the right sized coat, assisted in choosing hats, gloves, and scarves, and made sure to direct all movement in accordance with safety guidelines.

The youth group at the Presbyterian Church of Morristown also volunteered by making 100 goodie bags for the children who came with their families to the giveaway. The Presbyterian Church of Morristown founded the Market Street Mission in 1889, and still continues to support our ministry and outreach work, 131 years later.

The Coat Giveaway is only one facet of the Market Street Mission’s community outreach. Along with providing overnight shelter for men and free breakfast and dinner to anyone in the community, we also have showers open to the community, and give out vouchers to our thrift store and grocery boxes full of food to people in need.

"We are so thankful to the community for all the ways you support us," officials said in a statement. "And in this season, we are especially grateful for those who donated coats, thereby clothing and protecting our neighbors as temperatures begin to drop."

Those interested in helping can visit www.marketstreet.org to learn more and find out ways ways to get involved

This story is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources and highlights other work to help others. If you know of a local organization or initiative that should be profiled, contact russ.crespolini@patch.com

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